NYC Terror Attack Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

NEW YORK, NY — The New Jersey man accused of carrying out New York City's worst terrorist attack since 9/11 pleaded not guilty in federal court Tuesday to the criminal charges against him, a spokeswoman for federal prosecutors said.

Sayfullo Saipov, 29, is fighting the 22 charges prosecutors brought against him last week after he allegedly ran down Tribeca pedestrians and the cyclists in a rented pickup truck on Oct. 31.

A federal grand jury indicted Saipov on Nov. 21 for eight counts of murder and 12 counts of attempted murder. His Islamic State-inspired attack killed eight people and injured 12.

Saipov also faces charges of providing material support to a terrorist organization and violence and destruction of a motor vehicle. The immigrant from Uzbekistan pledged allegiance to ISIS and followed the terrorist group's instructions for killing civilians with large vehicles, prosecutors have alleged.

Saipov allegedly drove the pickup truck down a stretch of the Hudson River Greenway before he crashed into a school bus near the corner of West Street and Chambers Street, officials have said. NYPD Officer Brian Nash shot Saipov after he got out of the truck holding a paintball gun and a pellet gun, according to officials.

The Halloween attack was the deadliest terror strike in New York City since Sept. 11, 2001. It prompted officials to put up barriers on the greenway and tighten security at public events, including that night's Halloween parade and the following weekend's New York City Marathon.

Photo provided by St. Charles County Department of Corrections via KMOV (St. Charles County Department of Corrections/KMOV via AP)