Suspect in deadly U-Haul rampage through Brooklyn held without bail, put on suicide watch
BAY RIDGE, Brooklyn (WABC) -- The man accused of mowing down 10 people in Brooklyn during a deadly driving rampage Monday made his first court appearance.
Weng Sor, 62, appeared in court in Downtown Brooklyn Wednesday, where he was held without bail and is on suicide watch.
He told detectives he was seeing things and lashed out in what he hoped would be a suicidal rampage against what he referred to as his "enemies."
The defendant stated he wanted to hit people that agitated him the most.
"That's why I hit them, it's Judgment Day," he told detectives during questioning, Assistant District Attorney David Ingle revealed in court. "I wanted it to end by taking out enemies. Shoot me. I will not give in."
Through it all, Sor faced away from the judge and never looked up as he was formally charged with second degree murder and multiple counts of attempted murder.
Prosecutors said all the victims were strangers, but were linked Monday morning by Sor. They say he drove his truck through the streets and on sidewalks, striking nine people.
An E-bike food delivery worker was killed and another man was listed in critical condition. Other victims suffered primarily broken bones and blunt force trauma.
Sor's attorney asked for him to be held in protective custody, put on suicide watch and undergo a mental health evaluation.
He was ordered back in court on March 16.
Officials say the U-Haul Sor was driving was rented from West Palm Beach, Florida. Authorities say he was there to try and meet with President Trump before driving the truck up to New York City to see his family.
Detectives say this was clearly not terrorism, but rather the result of mental illness.
"Based on interviews with his family members, and confirmed when interrogated by members of the New York City detective bureau, we believe Mr. Sor was suffering from a mental health crisis," NYPD chief of Detectives James Essig said.
During a news briefing on Tuesday, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell laid out the timeline of events.
Brooklyn U-Haul rampage timeline:
10:20 A.M. -- 34-YEAR-OLD MAN STRUCK
A 34-year-old man on a bicycle at 55th Street and Fourth Avenue was struck by the U-Haul, which then fled the scene.
10:27 A.M. -- 33-YEAR-OLD MAN STRUCK
About seven minutes later, a 33-year-old victim on a bicycle was struck at Senator Street and Fifth Avenue.
10:31 A.M. -- 30-YEAR-OLD MAN STRUCK
About four minutes after that, at 10:31 a.m., a 30-year-old man was knocked off his bicycle at Bay Ridge Parkway and Seventh Avenue.
10:36 A.M. -- 51-YEAR-OLD MAN STRUCK
Around 10:36 a.m., a 51-year-old man on a moped was hit at Bay Ridge Parkway and 12th Avenue.
10:50 A.M. -- 44-YEAR-OLD MAN STRUCK
Around 10:50 a.m., a 44-year-old man on a moped was struck. He later died due to his injuries.
VIDEO | Robert Boyce on bomb squad investigating U-Haul in Red Hook
10:50 A.M. -- 38-YEAR-OLD MAN STRUCK
At about the same time, a 38-year-old victim on an e-bike was struck and injured.
10:57 A.M. -- 32-YEAR-OLD MAN STRUCK
At 10:57 a.m., a 32-year-old man on a moped was hit by the U-Haul at 72nd Street and Third Avenue.
11:03 A.M. -- NYPD OFFICER STRUCK
That was followed by an NYPD officer from the 68th Precinct, who was injured around 11:03 a.m. when police say the U-Haul rammed his patrol car near the intersection of Wakeman Place and Ridge Blvd.
11:05 A.M. -- 66-YEAR-OLD MAN STRUCK
At 11:05 a.m., the truck hit the final pedestrian, a 66-year-old man who was walking near 73rd Street and Third Avenue.
11:09 A.M. -- NYPD HELICOPTER SPOTS U-HAUL
Around 11:09 a.m., an NYPD aviation union helicopter spotted the U-Haul at 86th Street and Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge. Police say that all responding units converges on that location at that time.
11:19 A.M. -- AVIATION OFFICERS SPOT U-HAUL PASSING 43RD AND BQE
At 11:19 a.m., aviation officers saw the U-Haul passing the 43rd Street and Brooklyn Queens Expressway area heading toward Manhattan.
11:24 A.M. -- 66-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
At 11:24 a.m., members of the NYPD Emergency Services Highway Unit stopped and boxed in the U-Haul truck outside at the Hamilton Avenue and Columbia Street area. The 66-year-old driver was quickly taken into custody without further incident.
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