NYPD makes arrest in terror attack near Times Square transit hub

NEW YORK — Subway lines were evacuated and dozens of emergency vehicles swarmed the area near Times Square on Monday after a terrorism-related explosion triggered chaos at a busy transit hub.

Four people, including the suspect, were injured in the blast, authorities said. None of the injuries was considered life-threatening.

Firetrucks race toward the New York Port Authority after a reported explosion on Dec. 11, 2017, in New York.
Firetrucks race toward the New York Port Authority after a reported explosion on Dec. 11, 2017, in New York. 
ED BAIG, USA TODAY
"This was an attempted terror attack," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "Thank God the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goal."

Police Commissioner James O'Neill said the blast occurred on a below-ground walkway connecting subway lines. Police responding to the scene found an injured man wearing an improvised, low-tech explosive device that he had "intentionally detonated," O'Neill said.

The man, Akayed Ullah, 27, was taken into custody and rushed to a hospital with burns and other injuries, O'Neill said. Three people near him suffered minor injuries, O'Neill said.

"We are New Yorkers; we don't live in fear," O'Neill said.

While details are still emerging, I want to saute and thank @NYPD @FDNY and all our 1st Responders for their swift response to the explosion today.

— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@NydiaVelazquez) December 11, 2017
The blast came at a time when the area was packed with commuters and holiday tourists in a city still on edge from a terror attack six weeks ago that claimed eight lives.

Christina Bethea, 29, a security guard from Yonkers, a New York City northern suburb, said she was getting off a southbound 1 line subway train en route to work when she heard a loud noise.

"I heard boom and saw smoke and we all started running up the steps," said Bethea. "It sounded like a loud gunshot.... When you hear a boom and see smoke, that means get the hell out of there."

Bethea said she called co-workers to make sure they weren't harmed and let friends and relatives know she was okay.

"I'm alive. That's all that matters to me, said Bethea. "I said, damn, I'm gonna move back to North Carolina. New York City is too much for me."

Less than three hours after the blast, officials said all trains and buses were running, although the area around the blast was being bypassed. But in the minutes following the blast, at about 7:20 a.m., public transit in the area came to a near standstill.

"The NYPD is responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin at 42nd Street and 8th Ave, #Manhattan," Police Department said in a tweet. "The A, C and E line are being evacuated at this time. Info is preliminary, more when available."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New Yorkers understand their city is an international target "for many who would like to make a statement" against freedom.

"The reality turned out better than the initial expectation and fear," he said.

Immediately after the blast, the Port Authority said its sprawling terminal remained open except for the entrance to the subway on Eighth Avenue. Later, the terminal was closed for about an hour before reopening.

President Trump was being briefed on the incident, the White House said.

"While details are still emerging, I want to salute and thank @NYPD @FDNY and all our 1st Responders for their swift response to the explosion today," tweeted Rep. Nydia Margarita Velázquez, whose district includes parts of Lower Manhattan.

New York is no stranger to attack. Since the terror attacks of 9-11, several attacks have rocked the city. On Oct. 31, a motorist in a rented pickup drove down a lower Manhattan bike path, killing eight people and wounding a dozen more before crashing into a school bus.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility, and Sayfullo Saipov, a 29-year-old Uzbekistan native and  New Jersey resident, was charged with providing material support to ISIS, violence and destruction of motor vehicles.