Four Port Authority police officers ran towards the explosion triggered by Monday’s failed terrorist attack in Port Authority Bus Terminal, risking their lives and subduing the jihadist responsible.
Officers Drew Preston, Jack Collins, Sean Gallagher, and Anthony Manfredini successfully subdued terror suspect Akayed Ullah as he tried to detonate a “low-tech explosive device” in a subway corridor near the Port Authority Bus Terminal on Monday morning.
Robert Egbert, a spokesperson for the Port Authority, said the officers reacted immediately after seeing Ullah lying on the ground with numerous wires attached to his body and successfully grappled to stop him from detonating any of his devices.
“The officers’ concern now was the safety of those civilians still in the passageway,” Egbert said. “Without concern for their own safety, the officers were able to secure the suspect and evacuate those still in the passageway.”
These are 4 Port Authority police officers who saw bombing suspect w/ wires coming from his clothes after explosion, they held him down, stopped him from dialing cell phone & triggering a 2nd possible blast. These 4 are being credited with saving lives. @NBCNewYork @PANYNJ pic.twitter.com/3Ij0JYhTdl
— Marc Santia (@MarcSantia4NY) December 11, 2017
Authorities confirmed that no civilians were severely injured in the attacks, although three people were treated for headaches and ringing in their ears, while Ullah was hospitalized in serious condition with burns.
“Thanks to the quick response of these brave Port Authority Police officers, the suspect was apprehended, there were no serious injuries and the PABT was secured without further incident,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said in a statement. “Our officers responded immediately and put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.”
“Our officers’ actions were commendable and we are thankful there were no serious injuries to any travelers,” added Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton.
Ullah, a 27-year-old Bangladeshi immigrant who had been living in Brooklyn, arrived in the United States on an F43 family immigrant visa in 2011 as part of an extended family chain migration process.
According to federal investigators, Ullah was angered by President Donald Trump and U.S. policy in the Middle East and pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State.
Ullah now faces a string of federal charges against him that include the provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, use of weapons of mass destruction, bombing a place of public use, destruction of property by means of fire or explosive, and use of a destructive device during and in furtherance of a crime of violence.
THREAD: The full complaint from @SDNYnews charging #PortAuthority suspect #AkayedUllah with aiding a terrorist organization and using a WMD, among other charges. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/QC4tipE8dQ
— Esha Ray (@ByEshaRay) December 12, 2017
Following the jihadist Halloween attack in Manhattan this October, police officer Ryan Nash was also singled out for praise by local law enforcement after he successfully detained suspect Sayfullo Saipov by shooting him in the abdomen, potentially saving dozens of lives.
Follow Ben Kew on Facebook, on Twitter at @ben_kew, or email him at bkew@breitbart.com.
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