It all ended on Hamilton Avenue, parallel to the entrance to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel.
Police say an NYPD squad car was able to clip the U-Haul, sending the truck onto the curb and forcing the suspect to surrender.
Surveillance video shows how the driver made his way through Brooklyn early Monday morning, knocking over a bicycle and jumping onto the sidewalk as a pedestrian ran out of the way.
“Reckless driving and hitting, running people over, delivery guys on their delivery bikes,” said Carroll Gardens resident Isa Rosenbloom.
The NYPD says shortly before 11 a.m., officers responded to a man driving a U-Haul truck in Bay Ridge. At least eight people were hit in seven different places before the New York police ended the violent attack at Columbia Street and Hamilton Avenue.
“The patrol got in front of the truck, and then the truck went onto the sidewalk,” said witness Ignacio De La Luz. “And he couldn’t move. And immediately the officer got out of the car, drew his gun, and they had no choice but to pull over.”
Image obtained by CBS2
A photo shows the suspect in custody moments later. Sources say he is Weng Sor, 62, who was born in Malaysia but is an American citizen who has lived in New York City for at least a decade.
Sources say he has no criminal record in the city, but NYPD interacted with him in July 2019 in response to a call of an emotionally disturbed person in Queens. He was allegedly jumping through traffic.
“At this time, we have no indication that there is any terrorist involvement in this incident,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
Sources say he told the police who took him to Police Station 68 for questioning that he “wanted to die”, but has not spoken of his intention or motive.
On the front of the vehicle was an American flag decorated with white and red stars.
Near the scene of the accident is a pillow and clothes on the ground, and cardboard boxes in the back of the U-Haul, making it look like he lived outside the U-Haul.
“I’m a little nervous,” said witness Enrique Barranco.
Sources say Sor has a Nevada driver’s license and rented the U-Haul in Florida. Earlier this month he received two citations for speeding and taking a commercial vehicle on the Belt Parkway.
U-Haul says the truck was rented Feb. 1 in West Palm Beach for 30 days, with a March 3 return date. The truck was supposed to be returned to the same place it was rented from. It’s the first time the suspect has rented a U-Haul, the company said.
The company says it is working closely with police on the case.
