A violent incident inside Grand Central Terminal has left three people injured and a suspect dead following a machete attack Saturday morning, according to authorities.
The New York Police Department confirmed that officers fatally shot Anthony Griffin, 44, after he allegedly slashed multiple individuals inside the busy transit hub.
Police said the incident began around 9:30 a.m. when Griffin entered the subway system in Queens and boarded a 7 train heading toward Manhattan. Upon arriving at Grand Central, he reportedly attacked passengers on the 7 train platform before moving to the 4/5/6 platform, where additional victims were assaulted.
Authorities stated that three individuals—an 84-year-old man, a 70-year-old woman, and a 65-year-old man—were injured in the attack. All were transported to local hospitals and are expected to survive, though some sustained serious injuries, including cuts to the head and an open skull fracture.
Officers encountered Griffin around 9:40 a.m. and observed him armed with a machete. According to officials, police issued repeated commands—more than 20 times—for him to drop the weapon and attempted to de-escalate the situation.
However, when the suspect allegedly advanced toward officers while still armed, police opened fire, striking him. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
During a press briefing, Jessica Tisch said the suspect appeared to be acting erratically and repeatedly claimed to be “Lucifer” during the incident.
Officials emphasized that the responding officers acted to protect the public in a rapidly evolving and dangerous situation. The attack unfolded in one of the city’s busiest transit hubs, heightening concerns about commuter safety.
In response to incidents like this, authorities noted that there has been an increased police presence across the transit system, with additional officers deployed to subway platforms and trains.
New York officials, including state and city leaders, expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their swift response in preventing further harm.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
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