Two New York City police officers were injured when an unidentified attacker armed with a machete assaulted them on New Year’s Eve.
Three cops were monitoring Times Square at 10 p.m. when the 19-year-old boy charged them without provocation, according to WPIX.
According to Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, the assailant hit each of the three cops with the machete to the head. Two of them were severely injured.
🚨#BREAKING: Two NYPD officers have been stabbed with reports of shots fired
📌#Manhattan | #NY
Currently Multiple authorities are responding too two NYPD officers that have been stabbed with reports of a shooting Causing mass panic near time Square celebration area pic.twitter.com/0tGpITWxwD
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 1, 2023
Sewell said that one of the officers, an eight-year veteran, “suffered a laceration to the head,” WPIX reported.
“The second officer — who graduated the police academy on Friday — was also struck in the head, resulting in a skull fracture and large laceration,” Sewell said, according to WPIX.
One of the cops shot the attacker in the shoulder during the incident.
The cops and the assailant have been hospitalized, and it is anticipated that all will live.
The assault reportedly occurred at West 52nd Street and Eighth Avenue.
WPIX reports that the cops were providing security in Times Square, where many New Yorkers were heading to celebrate the New Year.
Social media users reported hearing a loud “boom” during the event.
What time exactly? I think we heard the same thing. We are at 43rd, heard a loud boom
— Tim Pool (@Timcast) January 1, 2023
“Three officers were attacked in midtown this evening. Thankfully, they are all in stable condition and their attacker is in custody,” New York Mayor Eric Adams tweeted on Saturday night.
He added, “They are in good spirits. Their response is an example of the courage and professionalism of our NYPD officers who give so much for our city.”
This is the weapon that was recovered at the scene. https://t.co/Waaux2hUTt pic.twitter.com/EijU7QUgkQ
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 1, 2023
Watch as Police Commissioner Sewell & Mayor Adams provide an update on a police involved incident in Manhattan. https://t.co/ha11b02Fvq
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 1, 2023
The assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, Mike Driscoll, stated that the agency is collaborating with the NYPD to investigate the attack, which he described as an isolated event.
“We believe this was a sole individual at this time,” Driscoll said, according to WPIX. “We’re not aware of any ongoing threat.”
Another stabbing had occurred earlier in the day near Times Square on the junction of Seventh Avenue and West 40th Street.
According to Fox News, the victim is a career criminal with over 25 prior offenses and the stabbing was likely “gang-related.” Police continue to seek for the suspect.