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Grand Central Machete Attack
A machete-wielding man attacked three elderly people at Grand Central Terminal before being fatally shot by police.
“The man, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, was armed with a large knife described as a machete and behaving erratically, repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer”
The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, stabbed a 65-year-old man, a 70-year-old woman, and an 84-year-old man.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Griffin was behaving erratically, repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer.
Officers ordered him at least 20 times to drop the weapon before shooting him when he advanced toward them.
The victims were hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Griffin had three prior arrests but no documented history of mental illness.
Sequence of Events
Griffin entered the subway system at Vernon Boulevard in Queens and boarded a No. 7 train to Grand Central.
He slashed an 84-year-old man on the platform before moving upstairs to the 4/5/6 platform.
Two NYPD detectives encountered one of the victims and then confronted Griffin.
Despite repeated orders to drop the machete, Griffin advanced toward the officers and was shot twice.
The entire incident was captured on body-worn camera.
The attack appeared to be random, and the victims did not know Griffin.
Public and Official Reactions
Mayor Mamdani expressed gratitude for the NYPD's quick response.
“The NYPD is conducting an internal investigation and will release body-worn camera footage”
Governor Hochul called the incident a horrific and senseless act of violence.
Transit advocate Charlton D'Souza said more mental health resources should be present at transit hubs.
The city's murder rate dropped more than 20% from 2024 to 2025.
The subway system recorded its lowest number of murders in years.