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The terrorist who killed eight people and injured 11 in a truck rampage in New York worked for Uber, a friend said.

Sayfullo Saipov, 29, drove into a bike path in Lower Manhattan shortly before 3pm on Tuesday, hitting a number of cyclists and runners.

The truck then hit a school bus and the suspect emerged with imitation guns in his hands but was shot in the leg by police and taken into custody.

He was shouting 'Allahu Akbar!' and brandishing a pellet gun and a paintball gun.

The terror suspect is an Uzbek national who came to America in 2010 .

He had a driver's licence for Florida but also had links to Ohio and New Jersey.

(Image: @GGGLee089/Twitter)

A fellow Uzbek said Saipov had been living in New Jersey and working for Uber as recently as this summer.

Kobiljon Matkarov, 37, described Saipov as a "very friendly guy" who had played with his children.

He told the New York Post that Saipov had given him and his family a ride to the airport in June.

Sapiov enjoyed playing with his five children but when one of the boy's asked for a photo his tone suddenly change.

"He no like that. He said no," Mr Matkarov said.

Online records show Saipov has a criminal record in Pennsylvania and Missouri, all for traffic offences.

He had one, for, according to the courts website, after he “Failed To Equip Mtr Carrier Veh With/Maintain Required Brake System.”

(Image: NBC) (Image: NBC) (Image: NBC)

Eight people have been killed in the suspected terror attack, which took place close to the 9/11 memorial site, while two adults and two children were injured during the school bus collision.

Police are yet to officially confirm the name of the suspect but said the atrocity was a 'cowardly act of terror'.

(Image: CNN/Twitter) (Image: www.alamy.com)

Chillingly, there are visible tyre marks on the bodies of at least two of the victims.

The NYPD has now held a press conference, two hours after the horrendous incident.

James O'Neill, NYPD Commissioner described the incident as "a tragedy of the highest order" that killed innocent people just going about their day.

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(Image: @ShulemStern/Twitter)

Mayor Bill De Blasio added: "It's a very painful day in our city. This was an act of terror, a particularly cowardly act of terror aimed at civilians going about their lives.

"We know of eight innocent people who have lost their lives and more than a dozen injured.

"New Yorkers are strong and resilient and our spirits will not be broken by an act of violence. New Yorkers do not give in."

Witnesses reported hearing as many as 15 gunshots fired.

(Image: Getty Images North America) (Image: Getty Images North America)

A student from Stuyvesant High School, close to where the shooting took place, told the New York Post: "What happened was there was a car crash… he came out of one of the cars.

"He had two guns. He was running around Chambers and somebody started to chase him. I heard four to six gunshots – everybody starts running.”

(Image: Getty Images North America)

(Image: UseJeff/Twitter)

One witness said: "I saw a truck, a white pick-up truck, going down the bicycle lane and running people over."

Another witness said: "I thought it was a Halloween prank. I saw the gun running in a circle and I realised it was serious."

Michael Corbin, who works at the nearby District Council, added: "We all heard the gunfire. I heard distinctly five shots in quick succession."

A child was seen sitting in the lap of an adult wearing a neck brace.

(Image: AFP) (Image: REUTERS)

Multiple people in the area reported on social media that they heard several gunshots.

The FBI have also been called to the scene as the area is still cordoned off.

Police are urging people to avoid the area while emergency services are at the scene.

US President Donald Trump has now been briefed on the incident but has yet to make a statement.