Man wanted for connection to New York terrorism suspect also lived in Tampa

Tuesday’s terrorist attack in New York has more than one alleged connection to the Tampa Bay area.

Mukhammadzoir Kadirov, who the FBI announced a 90-minute search for, reportedly lived in the Wexford Apartment complex near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa until earlier this year, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Sayfullo Saipov, the 29-year-old man authorities say is responsible for plowing a Home Depot rental truck into a bike path, killing at least eight people and seriously injuring 11, also lived in Tampa at the Heritage at Temple Terrace apartment complex on 56th Street.

It’s unclear how recently or how long Saipov lived in Tampa, but he has a Florida driver’s license and the apartment he stayed in is about five miles away from Kadirov’s former home.

Both Saipov and Kadirov are from Uzbekistan, a country in Central Asia that formerly was part of the Soviet Union. A poster released by the FBI stated that Kadirov was wanted for questioning “in relation to the deadly attack.”

"We have found him, and I’ll leave it at that," FBI Assistant Director in Charge William Sweeney said.

Kadirov, 32, lived at Wexford with his family, a wife and two young boys. Neighbors said he was quiet and kind. Kadirov lived there for about two years before moving.

Tampa Bay Times reports that he did not have a criminal record in Florida.

According to the Washington Post, Kadirov and his attorney are cooperating with law enforcement in New Jersey. He has not been placed under arrest as of Wednesday evening.

This story was originally published November 2, 2017 at 11:18 AM with the headline "Man wanted for connection to New York terrorism suspect also lived in Tampa."