Breaking! Salman Rushdie: Suspect is in custody, police

Salman Rushdie attacker has been taken into custody by a state trooper at the event, police said.

Rushdie was airlifted from a field adjacent to the venue of the attack– in a rural lake resort about 70 miles south of Buffalo — to a local hospital. His condition is unknown. An interviewer also suffered a minor head injury, police said.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters Friday that Rushdie is “alive” and “getting the care he needs.” She said a state trooper “stood up and saved his life and protected him as well as the moderator who was attacked as well.

“Here is an individual who has spent decades speaking truth to power,” the governor said of Rushdie. “Someone who has been out there unafraid, despite the threats that have followed him his entire adult life it seems.”

Salman Rushdie’s treatment of delicate political and religious subjects turned him into a controversial figure.

Rushdie was being introduced at about 10:45 a.m. when the assault happened, according to a witness, who said he heard shouting from the audience. He said a man in a black shirt appeared to be “punching” the author. The witness, who was 75 feet from the stage, did not hear the attacker say anything or see a weapon.

Details later….

Sola Adeyemo