Funviralpark Three NYPD officers were injured in an “unprovoked” long knife attack near Times Square on New Year’s Eve, according to New York City officials.
The incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday near 52nd Street and Eighth Avenue, outside a security zone set up for New Year’s Eve celebrations, Police Commissioner Keecchant Sewell told reporters. . Press conference at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan.
“Unprovoked, a 19-year-old man approached a police officer and tried to hit him in the head with a machete,” Mr Sewell said. “The man then hit two more officers on the head with a machete.”
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One of the officers fired a gun and hit the suspect in the shoulder, Sewell said. The suspect has been taken into custody, she said.
The three officers were taken to Bellevue, Sewell said.
Mayor Eric Adams said, “I’m really pleased with the response and how our officers have handled the situation.” No threat.”
FBI Deputy Director Mike Driscoll said the agency’s Joint Terrorism Task Force was involved to “confirm the nature of the attack.” He said the FBI believes the attacker was acting alone.
The New York City Police Department has released images of a knife found at the scene of a police shooting near Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
New York Police Department
New York City Police announced image It was recovered at the scene. According to ABC News contributor and former CIA operative Darrell M. Blocker, the weapon was like a Gurkha his knife, a type of curved blade.
Patrick Lynch, president of the New York City Police Department Charitable Association, said: “Now think of the families who are in shock, knowing that the first call of the year will be to their son, husband and family. I had no idea, my family would be here at Bellevue Hospital.”
Video of the scene appeared to show him jogging in the rain as he was directed away from the scene by a line of officers.
California’s David Lyugowski told ABC News he saw dozens of police officers with their guns drawn and running towards the crime scene.
“They’re all telling us to go to the spectator area for the ball drop, and everyone’s running, everybody’s panicking.
Lyugowski and his brother-in-law Andrew Dyakin from South Carolina were in New York to watch the Times Square ball drop.
“Someone is yelling, ‘Calm down, calm down,’ because everyone is nervous,” Deakin said. “Deep down in the hearts of all of us, I’m sure this could be a target for shooting.”
“I thought someone was trying to shoot as many people as possible. Another mass shooting.”
One of the police officers involved in the incident graduated from the police academy on Friday, Sewell said.
Adams spoke at officers’ commencements, he said.
“It just shows you that it could be your first day, or it could be your last day. The actions police officers must take every day are life-threatening situations.
Keith Harden and Patricio Chile of ABC News contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Please check the latest information.
