The father of one of the victims who died in the fatal terrorist attack in New York City Tuesday afternoon is speaking out and demanding increased scrutiny for people coming into the U.S.
James Drake’s son — 32-year-old Darren Drake — lost his life Tuesday when a radical Islamic extremist from Uzbekistan slammed a vehicle into innocent civilians, killing eight and injuring over a dozen others. The driver of the vehicle was Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, a 29-year-old green card holder and a diversity lottery visa winner loyal to the Islamic State.
Darren’s father told Fox News that he was the “perfect son.”
When he and his wife heard about the attack, they assumed that their son was not among the dead or wounded, but they couldn’t get in touch with him. As time went on, they began to fear the worst.
“We just realized as the longer the night went on, he wasn’t coming home anymore,” the young man’s father explained.
In discussions with federal authorities, Saipov revealed that he was proud of his actions, stating that he “felt good about what he did.” He said that he was trying to kill as many people as possible. (RELATED: NYC Terrorist Told FBI He ‘Felt Good About What He Did’)
These people, they come to the country and they hurt us,” Drake told Fox. “I just think that vetting should be a lot more difficult to allow these people who come into the country, especially a single man.”
“You get these radicals, and my son is the victim,” he added.
In the wake of this tragic attack, the deadliest terrorist attack in New York City since 9/11, President Donald Trump has demanded extreme vetting and railed against the diversity visa lottery on Twitter.
“I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already Extreme Vetting Program. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!” Trump tweeted Tuesday night, picking up his rant the following day. (RELATED: Trump Calls For Death Of ‘Diversity Visa Lottery’ Program After NYC Terrorist Attack)
“The terrorist came into our country through what is called the ‘Diversity Visa Lottery Program,’ a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based,” the president said Wednesday morning, adding, “We are fighting hard for Merit Based immigration, no more Democrat Lottery Systems. We must get MUCH tougher (and smarter).”
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