Terror investigation launched into machete attack on NY cops [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• A man allegedly attacked three New York Police officers with a machete on New Year’s Eve.
• Two officers were struck on the head while the suspect was shot on the shoulder, but everyone involved is expected to recover.
• Authorities are looking into whether the suspect was following jihadist writings and targeted the police.

Authorities are looking into whether a machete attack against a group of New York police officers is a targeted act of terrorism.

According to multiple law enforcement sources, a group of NYPD officers was stationed outside a security screening zone in Times Square, on Manhattan’s 8th Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets.

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell provided more details during an overnight press conference.

A man wielding a large knife approached the officers just after 10 p.m. on Saturday. He then swung at three officers, landing blows to the head on two of them. An 8-year veteran suffered a head laceration while a recent police academy graduate suffered a skull fracture. All three officers were taken to Bellevue Hospital and are expected to recover.

At least one officer fired upon the suspect and struck him in the shoulder, resulting in a non-fatal injury.

A long line of revelers waiting to join in on the New Year’s Eve celebrations was startled by the knife attack and gunfire, with some fleeing the chaos. The attack did not impact the nearby celebration in Times Square.

The surrounding area has been closed off for investigation.

The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Trevor Bickford from Wells, Maine.

Authorities are now looking into Bickford’s background.

The teen has no record of previous arrests but his online posts have previously made him known to federal and local law enforcement.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation to look into whether the suspect posted jihadist writings online and traveled to New York City to specifically target the police.

Mike Driscoll, assistant director in charge of the New York FBI Field Office, noted, “We believe this was a sole individual at this time, there’s nothing to suggest otherwise.”

Source: NBC New York