What we know so far
- At about 7.20am, an improvised device exploded in the subway passageway between Times Square and the Port Authority in midtown Manhattan.
- Police arrested a 27 year old man, Akayed Ullah, NYPD commissioner James O’Neill said. Ullah was found at the site of the blast with serious burns and the remains of “an improvised, low-tech” pipe-bomb style device.
- Four people suffered injuries, the fire department said. None were life threatening.
- “This was an attempted terrorist attack,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. Asked about claims of connection to the terror group Isis, O’Neill said only that the suspect “did make statements”.
- Ullah emigrated from Bangladesh to the United States in 2011 with a F-43 family immigrant visa, the White House said, meaning a family member sponsored his visa.
- Anonymous officials told the Associated Press that Ullah is speaking with police at the hospital, and that he was inspired by international terror groups. None have claimed credit for the attack.
- Police swept into several Brooklyn addresses associated with the suspect, though NYPD declined to confirm why they descended on the sites. Ullah had a black cab and limousine license in New York from 2012 to 2015, the city commissioning service said.
- Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the attack was an example of why president Donald Trump wants to end such “chain migration”
- Subway and bus services resumed nearly full service by late Monday afternoon. De Blasio said there are no specific or credible threats known to New York at this time, and by all indications the suspect acted alone.
Jason Burke, the Guardian’s Africa correspondent and the author of The New Threat, about extremist terrorist groups, writes that Bangladesh is often overlooked by terror analysts even though the poor, Muslim-majority country of 160 million has struggled with growing radicalism.
Investigators will now be piecing together the 27-year-old’s biography. They will be looking for clues about his potential radicalisation. Much of their focus will be on recent days and weeks, but they will also be digging deep back into his youth in his native land.
The most spectacular attack there came in July last year when 22 people – including 18 foreigners - were killed at a restaurant in an upscale neighbourhood of the capital, Dhaka. Isis claimed responsibility.
Smaller attacks have targeted secular bloggers, writers, religious minorities and foreign aid workers. Al-Qaida is active in the country, as are a range of autonomous local groups.
As usual, the violence has deep roots: unresolved social, political and cultural tensions between religious conservatives and secular leftists dating back to the 1971 civil war; huge numbers of young men who have limited skills, education and opportunities living in dysfunctional cities and towns; the expansion of conservative Islamic institutions funded by Gulf donors.
Connections with a distant native land can be important. Several attackers in the US in recent years with origins in south Asia – notably Pakistan – have been trained, funded or otherwise assisted by militant groups based where they or their parents grew up. The Manchester bomber’s close links to Libya were key to his radicalisation and execution of his attack in May this year.
But the radicalisation of the two men who attacked the Boston Marathon in 2013 had little to do with the central Asian states where they grew up. Nor did that of Ahmad Khan Rahimi, the Afghan-American recently convicted of carrying out a two-day bombing spree in New York and New Jersey in September 2016.
Most research shows the factors that can produce a violent domestic extremist can come together rapidly: a network of like-minded peers, exposure to a particular leader, a contact on the internet, a sudden personal shock or disappointment, a thwarted ambition to travel to a far-flung foreign battlefield.
The stories of most recent attackers in the west suggests the primary drivers of their violence are more recent experiences in their new homes, not a legacy of their early lives thousands of miles away.
Sanders is asked about immigration again, and reveals a details that was previously attributed to only anonymous officials.
The suspect arrived in the US in 2011 with a F-43 family immigrant visa, she says; he had a family member sponsor his visa.
“The president’s policy calls for an end to chain migration,” she says. “If his policy had been in place then this attacker would not have been allowed to come in the country.”
Sanders does not answer a question about whether the president would reconsider the list of countries on his controversial travel ban order, currently under review in the supreme court. Bangladesh, from which the suspect emigrated, is not on that list.
White House: US must move to merit-based immigration
White House press secertary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has delivered a statement on this morning’s explosion in New York.
“This morning while New Yorkers were on their way to work,” she says, “a terrorist set off a pipe bomb.”
“Thankfully there were no life threatening injuries,” she says. She praises police and transit authorities, naming an undercover Port Authority officer, Jack Collins, who she says “ apprehended the terrorist along with several other officers.”
She then turns the attempted attack to politics. She says it “underscores the need for Congress to work with the president on immigration reforms that enhance our public safety and border security.”
Sanders says that the US needs policies that ensure people “are not coming to do harm” to Americans. “We must move to a merit based system of immigration.”
Although police have not publicly described the suspect’s immigration status, anonymous law enforcement officials have said that he immigrated from Bangladesh seven years ago with a legal visa.
Sanders then says that the military campaign against the terror group Isis is making “great gains”. “We must also destroy the evil ideology behind Isis and attacks like today.”
Asked about potential legislation, Sanders blames Democrats in Congress, saying they “have failed to take action” and that the president wants to end “chain migration”, alluding to a policy that allows family members to sponsor relatives for visas.
Law enforcement sources have also told the AP that the suspect, Akayed Ullah, arrived from Bangladesh with a visa seven years ago, and that he was living in Brooklyn.
The officials said that he was inspired by the terror group Isis but had no contact with its members, and that he is speaking with investigators at the hospital. Adam Gabbatt is at one of the Brooklyn addresses associated with Ullah.
At 12.30pm a bomb squad vehicle was parked outside an apartment building in Kensington, a quiet residential neighborhood.
An officer wearing a bomb squad vest and a helmet, carrying a set of bolt cutters, entered the building along with a man wearing a FBI jacket and other police officers.
Witnesses said a swat team had earlier entered the six story building, which is at the side of the busy Ocean Parkway, which runs north-south through this section of Brooklyn.
Police were also reportedly present at a property about half a mile away, which is also said to be linked to Ullah. NYPD would not confirm that their presence was linked to Ullah, nor comment at all on the investigation.
Updated
Reuters reports that the suspect, who has two associated addresses in Brooklyn, according to public records, worked at least for some time as a driver in New York City.
New York’s taxi and limousine commission told the news wire that the suspect, who had a Brooklyn address, had a black cab and limousine driver’s license from 2012 to 2015, after which it expired.
Local news stations for CBS and NBC have reported that he immigrated to the United States from Bangladesh seven years ago, details that anonymous law enforcement officials have also told the Washington Post. We are working to confirm these details.
Updated
The Associated Press reports, citing anonymous law enforcement officials, that the suspect was “inspired” by the terror group Isis.
NYPD commissioner James O’Neill refused to go into statements made by the suspect or details of his background.
Law enforcement officials tell the Associated Press that Akayed Ullah was inspired by the Islamic State Group, but apparently had no direct contact with the terrorist group. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the suspect or incident.
The suspect had burns on his abdomen and also to his hands. Three others suffered minor injuries, including headaches and ringing in the ears.
Reports of New Yorkers frightened or panicked by the explosion are greatly exaggerated, Jamiles Lartey relays.
“It’s the subway, you know,” commuter Shaun Henderson said. “New Yorkers are used to this. The F train doesn’t need a pipe bomb to be fucked up.”
“Another idiot out there.” Elderly Brooklyn lady explains the situation to her fellow commuters.
— Elizabeth (@kitabet) December 11, 2017
New York has quickly returned to its normal rhythm of work and tourism – not to mention annoyance at the normal subway delays – but as investigators look into the background of the suspect, Bill de Blasio’s office has been keen to reassure residents and visitors to the city.
There was an attempted terrorist attack in Midtown Manhattan today. The suspect is in custody and there are no credible threats to NYC at this time. pic.twitter.com/4mXZL4L7IF
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) December 11, 2017
Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr issued a statement in line with those of the mayor and governor this morning, urging calm and resilience.
The people of New York City remain united against terror. While today’s attack on our subway system reinforces our need to be vigilant, it will not break our resolve to live our lives as we see fit. No cowardly attack can change the core of who we are as New Yorkers.
I especially want to thank our first responders, including the New York City Police and Fire Departments, Port Authority Police Department and the MTA Police Department, for everything they do on a daily basis to keep our city safe and secure,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Updated
Jamiles Lartey and Paul Owen are reporting from midtown Manhattan, where dozens of police cars, armored trucks and fire department vehicles have swarmed and officers have blocked off stretches of 8th Avenue.
Rolling a large suitcase, Tina Grimes, 38, was supposed to be getting on a bus to Boston. “I came early to catch a bus around 8 and I’m just like, ‘Whoa what’s going on?’ There were cops everywhere and the place was sealed off. it was scary.”
Grimes said she doesn’t know what to do now. “I don’t know. It’s too cold to walk around. Maybe I’ll go shopping or something. Make the best of this extra day in New York.”
Danny Nguyen, 24, saw the smoke and heard the explosion. Nguyen was waiting for a bus back to Philadelphia from the Port Authority, and described the police response.
“The police ran down and told us to grab our bags close to us,” he said. “I saw a mom trying to take her daughter up the elevator the wrong way, just panicking.”
After seeing the smoke, he said, “that’s when everything connected and I realized this was serious.”
Barbara Petro had been due to return to Columbia, Maryland, on a 9.25am bus. “I came to spend the weekend here, to see the art museums and Christmas scenes in the city.”
Would this incident put her off doing that again? “No. It can happen in DC, it can happen in Chicago. I’m in a lot of big cities for work. I don’t want people to think that these things will put us off from the city.“
Closed-off streets in Midtown Manhattan following an explosion near the Port Authority bus terminal pic.twitter.com/2keWYkx6w8
— Paul Owen (@PaulTOwen) December 11, 2017
The Port Authority, the midtown bus hub used by millions of commuters, has already reopened.
The Port Authority Bus Terminal (@PABusTerminal) has reopened, following police activity due to an incident this morning.
— Port Authority NY&NJ (@PANYNJ) December 11, 2017
Bus customers are encouraged to contact their carrier for the most current information regarding their operations.https://t.co/KyTwzC5w6H
What we know and don't know
- At about 7.20am, an improvised device exploded in the subway passageway between transport hubs under Times Square and the Port Authority, in midtown Manhattan.
- Police arrested an injured 27 year old man, Akayed Ullah, NYPD commissioner James O’Neill said. Ullah was found at the site of the blast with burns and the remains of “an improvised, low-tech” pipe-bomb style device, he said.
- Four people suffered injuries, the fire department said. None were life threatening.
- “This was an attempted terrorist attack,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. Asked about claims of connection to the terror group Isis, O’Neill said that the suspect “did make statements but we’re not going to talk about that right now”. O’Neill would not say whether the suspect detonated the device deliberately or it went off accidentally.
- Transit authorities promised that subway and bus service, with the exception of the crime scene itself, would resume full service by rush hour Monday evening.
- Police declined to discuss the background of the suspect, and said nothing about what he might have said to police.
- De Blasio said there are no specific or credible threats known to New York at this time, and by all indications the suspect acted alone.
Exact moment 'pipe bomb,' explodes inside New York City's Port Authority, leaving one person injured; Suspect in custody. pic.twitter.com/AnRcTJDCxu
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) December 11, 2017
Updated
Miller is asked about threats to New York, and says that authorities have foiled many plots already.
But he warns, “this is a fact of life whether your’e in New York or London or Paris: the question is ‘can it happen here?’ and the answer is it can happen anywhere.
A reporter asks whether the suspect make any claims about the terror group Isis?
O’Neill: “He did make statements but we’re not going to talk about that right now.”
Just before concluding the press conference with a promise of a future update, the police commissioner says, “We’re investigating his background right now to see what addresses he had.”
NPYD commissioner O’Neill declines to answer a question whether the suspect said anything before attempting to detonate the device.
He’s asked about vulnerabilities in the subway system. “We have almost 3,000 transit cops,” O’Neill says. “All parts of the system are patrolled.”
A question follows about the explosive device. An official named John Miller says that “without getting into too many specifics” the device was a type of pipe bomb, made in part with a combination of velcro and zip ties”.
A reporter asks whether the suspect detonated the device himself. O’Neill says police are looking into it. He refuses to say anything about the suspect’s background.
Daniel Nigro, the fire department commissioner, says that Ullah sustained burns to his hands and torso, but that the three other people only suffered minor injuries
Joe Lhota, the transport chief, says that nearly all subway service is being resumed, and should be back to normal by rush hour tonight. A few parts of the subway, namely the site of the explosion, will remain closed off to service.
NYPD names suspect
Mayor Bill de Blasio says there are no credible or known of threats at this time, and that as far as NYPD know the sole suspect, under arrest, acted alone.
He calls the explosion a terror attack, and says that there will be expanded NYPD presence around the city today.
“When you see something say something, this is the difference maker, we’ve seen it time and time again.”
He encourages New Yorkers who feel uncomfortable about a package to tell police: “It’s so important to speak up because you could be saving many lives by doing so.”
O’Neill then gives “preliminary facts” about the explosion. In the subway passage between the Times Sq shuttle and the 1-2-3 trains, he says, polcie were called after report of teh explosion. They “found an injured 27 year old man” with burns on his body.
O’Neill names him as Akayed Ullah, and says he “had an improvised low tech explosive device attached to his body”.
“Three other people in the immediate area also sustained minor injuries.”
He says police are now looking into Ullah’s background.
Updated
Commissioner James O’Neill begins.
“At approximate 7.20 this morning we had a terror related incident in the passageway at 42nd and 7th,” he says.
Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks next, saying “the first news this morning was obviously very frightening and disturbing, [an attack on the subway] which is in many ways one of our worst nightmares.”
The reality turned out better than the initial expectation and fear. You have a number of law enforcement agencies that did fantastic job.”
Cuomo says there was an explosion of “an effectively low tech device. There were several injuries we hope minor. And it was handled extraordinarily well”.
“There was a disruption in train service and bus service while a sweep was being done, that’s all being restored now. Subway service except at 42nd street is being restored.”
He then speaks to the fact of New York’s stature as a targeted city.
“This is New York. The reality is that we are a target by many who would like to make a statement against democracy, against freedom. We have the statue of Liberty in our harbor. Anyone can go on the internet and download garbage and vileness, how to put together an amateur level explosive device, and that is the reality we live with.
“The counter reality is that this is New York and we all pitch together, and we are a savvy people and we keep our eyes open and tha’ts what see something say something is about. And we have the best law enforcement in the globe.
“All the service will resume. Let’s go back to work. we’re not going to let them disrupt us.”
Explosion in New York
An explosion beneath the area of the Port Authority and Time Square, New York, has led to the detention of one suspect and a mass evacuation of the subway system in midtown Manhattan.
Police and city officials, including NYPD commissioner James O’Neill, are due to give a press conference any minute. The Fire Department said that four people were reported injured.
There are numerous conflicting reports about the suspect, including that an explosive device was worn.
The blast appears to have been captured on surveillance video in the subway.
