Police officer Ryan Nash fired nine shots to stop the terrorist behind Tuesday's attack in New York City, but said he was just doing his job by doing so.
The New York Times reported Nash and three officers were responding to another call at a nearby high school when they heard the crash of Sayfullo Saipov driving his white rental truck into a school bus. They raced outside and confronted Saipov, who was holding two guns that ended up being a pellet gun and a paintball gun, minutes after he intentionally drove down a bike path and killed eight people.
Nash was closest to Saipov and fired his weapon nine times after Saipov refused to drop his own weapons.
Saipov was struck in the hip and was taken to the hospital, where he survived and was arraigned on terrorism charges Wednesday evening.
"Although I feel that we were just doing our job, like thousands of officers do every day, I understand the importance of [Tuesday's] events, and the role we played, and I am grateful for the recognition we have received," Nash said at a press conference Wednesday.
Officials heaped praise on Nash for stopping Saipov before he could inflict more damage and kill more people.
According to NBC News, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Nash "is a good young man. He was very humble about what he did, but what he did was extraordinary. And it gave people such faith and such appreciation in our police force."
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