8 dead in 'cowardly act of terror' in New York City

NEW YORK — A man in a rented pickup truck drove onto a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center memorial Tuesday, killing at least eight people and injuring several others in what the mayor called "a particularly cowardly act of terror."

The 29-year-old driver was shot by police after jumping out of the truck with what turned out to be a fake gun in each hand, officials said. He was taken into custody. His condition was not immediately disclosed.

Police said the vehicle, a rented Home Depot truck, entered the bike path on West Street a few blocks from the new World Trade Center and mowed down several people. The truck also slammed into a small yellow school bus, injuring two adults and two children.

[READ: President Trump calls driver in NYC attack 'sick and deranged person']

ABC News confirmed the shooter as Sayfullo Saipov, of Tampa, Florida. An eyewitness said Saipov "sprinted toward the group of kids" after crashing onto bike path and hitting school bus.

Sources told ABC News that Saipov screamed "Allahu Akbar," during the incident, a key reason authorities are looking at terrorism as possible motive.

A paintball gun and a pellet gun were found at the scene, police said.

Witnesses described a scene of panic and blood, with people screaming in fear and the path strewn with bodies and mangled bicycles.

The attack closed roads across the western edge of Manhattan along the Hudson River and sent uniformed officers rushing to the neighborhood as people prepared for Halloween festivities, including an annual parade through Greenwich Village.

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Here is a minute-by-minute look at the latest developments:

10:50 p.m. - Two students, two school staff members among the injured after Lower Manhattan terror attack, ABC News confirms.

9:57 p.m. - Police have surrounded a white Toyota minivan with Florida plates parked in a New Jersey Home Depot lot. Terror suspect rented a truck from Home Depot which he used in the attack.

8:36 p.m. -  Truck attack suspect Sayfullo Saipov left note saying he conducted attack on behalf of ISIS, ABC News confirms.

8:31 p.m.- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has increased security at airports, bridges, tunnels and mass transit systems around the state following the terror incident.
He has directed the lights on the spire of 1 World Trade Center be lit in red, white and blue in honor of freedom and democracy.

8:05 p.m. - A U.S. official familiar with the investigation into the New York City terror incident said the attacker is from Uzbekistan and came to the U.S. in 2010. The official says Sayfullo Saipov rented the vehicle Tuesday afternoon about an hour before the attack.

7:30 p.m. - Pres. Trump on NYC attack: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of today's terrorist attack in New York City and their families."

7:21 p.m. - President Donald Trump is railing against the Islamic State group following the New York City terror attack. Trump says in a tweet, "We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere." He's declaring, "Enough!"

6:14 p.m. -  A representative from Home Depot confirms to Channel 2 Action News that the truck used in the New York City terror attack was a rental truck from one of their stores and the home inprovement chain said they were cooperating fully with authorities to assist in their investigation.

5:37 p.m. - Suspect in NYC attack identified as 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov from Tampa, FL, multiple law enforcement officials tell, ABC News confirms.

5:36 p.m.- NYPD commissioner: Suspect "did make a statement when he exited the vehicle."

5:33 p.m. - Police commissioner says this incident is over. Says shooter was a 29-year-old male.

5:32 p.m. - President Trump tweets about New York terror attack:

5:30 p.m.- Authorities say 6 males pronounced dead at scene, 2 others died at local hospitals. Paintball gun and pellet gun recovered at scene.

5:26 p.m.- Gov. Cuomo says it appears to be a lone wolf attack, does not believe attack was part of bigger plot.

5:23 p.m.- 8 innocent people lost their lives - NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio

5:22 p.m. - This is a tragedy of the greatest magnitude - MYC Police Commissioner

5:18 p.m. - The GBI tells Channel 2's Mark Winne they are monitoring the situation in NYC.

5:16 p.m. - Witness to NYC incident says driver was "mowing people down," says he hunkered down in Uber as shots were fired after police arrived.

5 p.m.- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he has been briefed about the incident. Will hold a news conference at 5:15 p.m.

4:45 p.m.- The White House says President Donald Trump has been briefed on the vehicle that drove onto a bike path near the World Trade Center and struck several people.

4 p.m. - Police and witnesses say a motorist drove onto a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center memorial and struck several people, then emerged from the vehicle screaming and firing something that appeared to be a gun.

ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group