Grand Central Machete Attack Leaves One Dead, Three Wounded

Subway Platform Chaos

A machete-wielding man, who identified himself as "Lucifer," attacked three people at the Grand Central-42nd Street subway station, prompting a police response and disrupting transit for thousands of commuters. The incident at the major transit hub raises concerns about passenger safety.

The Attack

The assailant, 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, began his rampage after boarding a Manhattan-bound 7 train at Vernon Boulevard in Queens. According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Griffin slashed an 84-year-old man on the platform after arriving at Grand Central around 9:30 a.m. He then moved to the 4, 5, and 6 platform, where he slashed a 65-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman. One of the male victims suffered a skull fracture.

Confrontation and Fatal Shooting

Officers were alerted to the stabbings at approximately 9:40 a.m. Upon encountering Griffin, they issued at least 20 verbal orders for him to drop the machete. Tisch said Griffin refused to comply and advanced toward the officers. An officer then shot Griffin twice. Emergency medical aid was administered, but Griffin was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

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The sources also report that officers told Griffin, 'We are going to get you help,' before he advanced and was shot.

Victims and Aftermath

The three victims were hospitalized with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. The NYPD said the slashings appeared to be random. The MTA reported that the 4, 5, 6, and 7 trains were bypassing Grand Central during the investigation, but service has since resumed.

Official Response

Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed gratitude to the NYPD for their quick response. He confirmed that the NYPD is conducting an internal investigation and will release body-worn camera footage of the incident. Governor Kathy Hochul also acknowledged the incident, stating she was "grateful to our brave officers who acted quickly to stop the suspect."

Suspect Background

Commissioner Tisch said Griffin had three prior arrests, but no Emotionally Disturbed Person report history with the NYPD.

Security Concerns

The Grand Central attack follows an incident at Ireland's Shannon Airport, where a man allegedly attacked a U.S. military aircraft with a hatchet. The man, who is in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. These incidents highlight the need for increased vigilance in public spaces and transit systems.