BREAKING: NYPD says ‘several fatalities’ after motorist plows people on bike path in Lower Manhattan

New York City Police said a vehicle struck pedestrians on a bike path near the World Trade Center memorial in Lower Manhattan Tuesday afternoon, leaving several people dead.

In a series of tweets, the NYPD said the vehicle entered the bike path, hitting multiple people on the path.

“There are several fatalities and numerous people injured,” they tweeted.

As the vehicle continued south, police said, it hit another vehicle. The suspect then exited the vehicle brandishing “imitation firearms” and was shot by police.

JUST IN: There are fatalities after a truck drove the wrong way down the West Side Highway bike path in Manhattan https://t.co/lSZwdt3Rux pic.twitter.com/hqLnTIhsIr

— CNN (@CNN) October 31, 2017

They tweeted that one person is currently in custody.

Update, 5:10 PM: CNN reported that the incident is being investigated as terrorism, and the FBI is taking over the case.

CNN also reported that witnesses told police they heard the suspect shout "Allahu Akbar" during the incident.

Update, 5:30 PM:New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference the "cowardly attack left at least eight dead and a dozen injured.

"I want to ask all New Yorkers to be vigilant," he said, asking them to remain aware of their surroundings as they celebrate Halloween.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) said at a press conference the incident was terrorism but there is no evidence of an "ongoing threat" or a "wider plot" tied to it. He said security around the city would be increased out of "caution."

ABC News reported that officials named Sayfullo Saipov, 29, as the suspect in the attack.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.