For the first time since 9/11, deadly terrorism returned to New York’s streets Tuesday in an apparent lone-wolf attack that claimed at least eight innocent lives.
A 29-year-old man, reportedly yelling “Allahu akbar,” drove a rental truck into a crowd of pedestrians and bicyclists along the West Side Highway — just blocks from Ground Zero — then got out.An NYPD officer prevented a more calamitous toll by shooting the perp, ending the terror spree.
New York has remained Terror Target No. 1 for the past 16 years. During that time, the NYPD has thwarted dozens of plots, including plans to attack landmarks and the subway.
But not until Tuesday had any terrorist succeeded in inflicting fatalities. That he was able to do so underscores both the continuing threat — and the difficulty of detecting lone-wolf attackers.
New York thus joins the tragic list of cities, both here and abroad, that have recently faced horrific truck attacks.
The challenge now, as Gov. Cuomo said, is to not let it deter us. New York’s spirit wasn’t broken in 2001, and it won’t be now.