Sayfullo Saipov, NYC Truck Attack, New York 2017

8 Consecutive Life Sentences Handed Down for ISIS-Inspired NYC Truck Attack

Sayfullo Saipov, 34, of Uzbekistan, has been sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences, two concurrent life sentences, and a consecutive sentence of 260 years in prison for carrying out a terrorist attack on October 31, 2017, in the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

On Halloween afternoon in 2017, Saipov used a 6,000-pound truck to strike more than 20 innocent people on the Hudson River Bike Path in lower Manhattan. He killed eight of his victims and critically injured many others, including a 14-year-old child. The surviving victims suffered amputations, serious brain injuries, life-altering physical injuries, and significant psychological trauma. Saipov committed his attack after years of devotion to the brutal terrorist organization ISIS and after months of careful planning. In the weeks before his attack, he rented a truck to practice maneuvering it so that he could hit as many people as possible. Saipov brought a note to the attack with the phrase ‘Islamic State was behind the 9/11 attack’ and ‘it will be bloodshed,’ according to public documents in the case.

A jury convicted Saipov of all 28 counts in the indictment, which charged him with murder for the purpose of gaining entrance to a racketeering enterprise (ISIS); assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted murder for the purpose of gaining entrance to a racketeering enterprise (ISIS); providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS) resulting in death; and damage and destruction to a motor vehicle resulting in death. On March 13, 2023, the same jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on whether Saipov should be sentenced to death, resulting in a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The eight consecutive life sentences imposed on Saipov account for the eight lives he stole when he committed his vicious ISIS attack. The 260 years in prison constitutes the maximum penalty for the 18 attempted murders Saipov cruelly committed, which included the attempted murders of four children.

More than 20 victims and family members addressed the court and confronted Saipov, bravely and boldly sharing their pain and devastation. While they cannot make these victims whole after what Saipov stole from them, the U.S. Attorney’s office, along with their partners in the FBI, are proud to have served the victims and sought justice on their behalf. As said by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, ‘These eight life sentences account for the eight lives Saipov stole when he committed his vicious ISIS attack. The 260 years in prison constitutes the maximum penalty for the 18 attempted murders Saipov cruelly committed.’

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