NEW YORK — A machete-wielding youth stabbed two NYPD officers Saturday night just outside New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square, law enforcement sources told NBC New York.
As reported by the New York police in a statement, the accident took place around 10 pm on Manhattan’s 8th avenue, between 51st and 52nd streets, about a block from the perimeter of Times Square prepared for the New Year’s celebrations for the famous “ball drop”.
Police added that it all started when a 19-year-old boy approached a group of officers on the street and jumped on them with a machete in his hand.
During the attack, the suspect injured two policemen in the head. One of the officers then fired at the suspect, hitting him in the shoulder, according to investigators.
Three uniformed officers were taken to hospital in stable condition, two of them ended up with skull fractures and several body scrapes. The suspect was also taken to hospital where he is in stable condition.
Although the suspect had no criminal record, police sources noted he was being monitored by federal agents due to his social media history.
“We believe this is a single suspect at this time, there is nothing to suggest otherwise,” said Mike Driscoll, deputy director in charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is also investigating.
The police have closed off the crime area for investigation. The New Year’s celebration in Times Square was unaffected.
