The man who allegedly ran down cyclists and pedestrians along 17 Manhattan blocks pledged his allegiance to Islamic State before his attack, it has emerged.
Police sources say Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, 29, entered a bicycle path at Houston Street at 3.05pm and drove downtown, knocking down victims before smashing into a school bus at Chambers Street.
He then waved a paintball gun in one hand and a pellet gun in the other, and was shot in the abdomen by a police officer. He has now exited surgery and police are waiting for him to wake up before they question him.
Images of Islamic State flags were found in his truck, as well as handwritten notes pledging his allegiance to the terrorist group, insiders told the New York Post.
Details began to emerge about Saipov's life.
He was an Uzbekistan native who had lived in the US for seven years, ran two trucking companies and was a 'friendly' Uber driver, sources claim.
And although he was reportedly found with a Florida ID when arrested, he had lived most recently in New Jersey, and ran two trucking companies located in Ohio.
He was also said to be a friendly Uber driver who was good with kids - and did not like people taking his photo.
Image: NYPD officers stand guard during the annual Halloween parade after a man driving a rental truck struck and killed eight people on a jogging and bike path in Lower Manhattan. Photograph: Kena Betancur/Getty Images