Several New York City police officers were stabbed to death by a machete-wielding suspect just blocks from New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. at West 52nd Street and 8th Avenue on Saturday, a New York Fire Department source confirmed to FOX News.
At least two officers were stabbed in the incident, including a rookie police officer on his first day on the job.
The rookie officer, who graduated Friday, was hit in the head but is expected to recover, according to remarks during an NYPD news conference early Sunday. Another officer was also hit by the weapon, but was not seriously injured. Both officers were taken to the hospital for treatment.
BLOODY NEW YEAR’S EVE IN NEW YORK CITY ‘GANG RELATED’ TIMES SQUARE STABBING SENDS MAN TO HOSPITAL
Several New York City police officers were stabbed to death by a machete-wielding suspect just blocks from New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square.
(Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Trevor Bickford of Maine, according to the New York Post. Police shot him in the shoulder after the stabbings and he was transported to hospital.
Police said at a news conference that the suspect approached officers without provocation. The incident remains under investigation, with the help of the federal police.
“I want to make it clear that the FBI, through the Joint Terrorism Task Force, is working very closely with [NYPD] to determine the nature of this attack,” Michael Driscoll of the FBI said at the news conference. “And we will find all the clues. I also want to be very clear, as you heard earlier tonight, this is an ongoing investigation, so our ability to discuss details is limited.”
NEW YORK CITY ALLEGED SUBWAY SHOOTER PLEADS GUILTY TO SHOOTING 10 PEOPLE IN APRIL: PROSECUTORS
Signage for the New York City Police Department.
(New York Police Department)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Another officer was struck by a police car while attempting to move the barricades to allow responding officers access to the suspect.
“The three officers were attacked today, they were doing their jobs,” Mayor Eric Adams said at the news conference. “The jobs that members of the New York City Police Department and other first responders do every day in law enforcement officers.”
“And as we do a preliminary review of the body camera video, we see how well these officers executed the plan that was put in place by the New York City Police Department to ensure that we protect those who came here to usher in a new year. .” he continued.
All three officers are in stable condition, Adams said. He also emphasized that there is no longer an active threat.
