"The terrorists will not win, we're going to keep being New Yorkers."
That's the word from the mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, in response to a suspected pipe bomb explosion near Times Square.
NYPD officials say officers were called to a below-ground walkway in the area of 42nd St. and 8th Ave. at approximately 7:20am Monday, after receiving reports of an explosion.
Officials say four people are being treated in the hospital for injuries, including a suspect, who has been identified as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah. He is currently in the hospital being treated for burns and wounds to his hands and his abdomen that officials are classifying as "serious injuries." The three other people who were injured as a result of the attack reportedly suffered non-life threatening injuries such as headaches and ringing in their ears.
NYPD police Commissioner James O'Neill says their initial investigation indicates that the accused set off an "improvised, low-tech detonation device" that was attached to his own body. O'Neill says the suspect "intentionally detonated" the device and was placed in custody before he was taken to the hospital for treatment.
O'Neill says the incident was captured on transit system video, a further review and interview of witnesses is underway, and a thorough background investigation into Ullah is being carried out by the joint terrorist task force.
