New York City, April 12 (ANI): In an unprovoked attack, a 44-year-old man slashed three people at Grand Central Station in New York on Saturday morning. He was shot by police after refusing to drop the machete.
Citing police, the New York Post reported that the suspect attacked three elderly individuals with a machete while referring to himself as “Lucifer.” An 85-year-old man suffered a deep cut to his head, a 65-year-old man sustained head injuries, and a 70-year-old woman was slashed in the shoulder.
The incident occurred on the 4, 5, and 6 subway platform at the station at approximately 9:50 a.m., police said. When two NYPD detectives confronted the suspect, identified as Anthony Griffin, and ordered him to drop the weapon, he refused to comply despite at least 20 commands, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference at the scene.
Tisch said officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and offered assistance, telling him, “We are going to get you help.” However, Griffin advanced toward them with the blade extended, prompting officers to open fire.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he had been briefed on the incident and confirmed that the suspect was shot after refusing to drop the machete. The man was later pronounced dead.
The mayor thanked the NYPD for its swift response in preventing further violence and said the three victims were transported to a hospital, where they are in stable condition.
Mamdani added that the NYPD is conducting an internal investigation and will release body-worn camera footage, as is standard procedure in incidents involving the discharge of an officer’s firearm.
In a separate incident earlier in March, the New York City Police Department identified two suspects following an attempted bomb attack outside Gracie Mansion, the residence of Mayor Mamdani, according to CNN.
Preliminary analysis by the NYPD Bomb Squad determined that the device, which was ignited and thrown during a protest outside the residence, was an improvised explosive device. Authorities said they are working with the FBI through its Joint Terrorism Task Force as part of the ongoing investigation. (ANI)
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