Who is Weng Sor? U-Haul truck driver, 62, arrested after mowing down pedestrians, cops, and moped drivers in 30-minute rampage in Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: A U-Haul truck driver struck at least eight people in Brooklyn and led the police on a high-speed chase. Multiple people including an NYPD officer, moped drivers, and pedestrians were injured during the 30-minute rampage.
Citing police sources, NBC reported the driver's name as Weng Sor. Police sources described Sor as a person who is "emotionally disturbed" and homeless with no criminal history. The motive behind the rampage and his access to the truck remains unclear. Following the horrifying incident, four of the multiple victims are hospitalized and two of them are in critical condition while the other two are in stable condition. With minor injuries, four other victims do not require hospitalization. While Sor was pulled over by the police, he yelled "Shoot me. I'm not stopping," and said that he "wanted to die" while he was taken into custody.
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Who is Weng Sor?
Weng Sor is an Asian man who has ties to Brooklyn. On February 13, before driving north and stopping in Red Hook, Sor obtained a U-Haul truck and struck down several people at 11.00 am. The rampage took place on 5th Avenue and Bay Ridge Parkway, the Daily Mail reported.
Distressing footage captured on surveillance cameras of some of the stores showed a cyclist mowed by the truck driver and a pedestrian nearly escaped being hit by the truck while it was chased by cops. The rampage coincides with Sayfullo Saipov's first day of trial for the death penalty following a tragic incident in 2017. On the West Side Highway, Saipov took a rented Home Depot truck and killed eight people.
Authorities respond to the Brooklyn rampage
Keechant Sewell, the NYPD commissioner addressed the harrowing incident at a press conference on February 13 and stated that there was no evidence to support the rampage to be terror-related. New York City councilman Justin Brannan confirmed that all the victims were taken to NYU Langone Health at the time and two of them were "badly hurt." He later updated that three other victims including the police officer were treated at Maimonides Health.
In his statement, Branna said, "A man driving a U-Haul went on a rampage in Bay Ridge. He was just apprehended in Sunset Park. Several people were hit and badly injured. We have no idea of motives at this time but this wasn't an accident."
"Suspect was actually arrested near the BK Battery Tunnel. We think he hit at least 6 people with the truck and 2 are in very bad shape. Please pray for these folks," he added.
A man driving a U-Haul went on a rampage in Bay Ridge. He was just apprehended in Sunset Park. Several people were hit and badly injured. We have no idea of motives at this time but this wasn't an accident. Thank you to @NYPD72Pct @NYPD68Pct. I will share more info when I can.
— Justin Brannan (@JustinBrannan) February 13, 2023
According to Daily Mail, New York City Mayor Eric Adams who is yet to address the incident has been briefed and a statement. "NYC Mayor has been briefed and has been following developments regarding the U-Haul truck that struck multiple pedestrians this AM in Brooklyn," said a statement and added, "While the suspect is in custody, the NYPD is still investigating. There are no additional credible threats at this time."