Man once wanted by FBI was attack suspect's pal

A man the FBI was seeking who is a friend of the suspect in the New York City bike-path rampage may not have a role in the case, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.

The official said investigators became suspicious when they couldn't find the man to speak with because he was one of the few friends of the suspect, Sayfullo Saipov, said the official who spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity.

The friend was found and was being questioned on Wednesday. The FBI earlier sent out a bulletin seeking information on the man, who was born in Uzbekistan.

Saipov also is from Uzbekistan. Federal authorities on Wednesday charged the 29-year-old U immigrant they say plowed a rented truck into people walking and cycling on a bike path — killing eight — with providing support to a terrorist organization, alleging that he was inspired by the Islamic State to inflict mayhem and chose Halloween because he figured there would be more people on the street.

In court papers, federal authorities said that Saipov told the FBI that he began planning his attack a year ago, though he settled on using a truck as a weapon only two months prior.

Saipov was shot and wounded by a New York City police officer after the rampage. He was brought to court in a wheelchair to face charges that could bring the death penalty. He was handcuffed and with his legs shackled. Saipov nodded his head repeatedly as he was read his rights in a brief court proceeding that he followed through a Russian interpreter. He was ordered held without bail.

AP