Knifeman calling himself ‘Lucifer’ slashes three at NYC’s Grand Central
Knifeman ‘Lucifer’ Attacks Three at NYC’s Grand Central Station
A man armed with a machete unleashed a sudden assault on three individuals at New York City’s Grand Central station, prompting police to shoot him dead during the chaos. The attack, which disrupted train services at the country’s busiest rail terminal, occurred after the suspect, 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, refused to comply with repeated orders to lower his weapon.
Victims’ Injuries
The assailant targeted two men and a woman, inflicting severe cuts to the head and face on the 84-year-old and 65-year-old victims. The 70-year-old woman sustained injuries to her shoulder. According to police, all three were hospitalized with non-life-threatening wounds.
“Innocent people were attacked in a senseless act of violence,” stated New York Governor Kathy Hochul in response to the incident.
Police Response
Two transit officers were among the first to react at 09:40 EDT, as the suspect advanced toward them with a machete. Despite multiple warnings, he continued his rampage, eventually charging at the officers. One police officer fired twice, resulting in the suspect’s fatal injury at Bellevue Hospital.
“The individual was armed with a large knife… and was behaving erratically, repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer,” explained NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch during a press briefing.
Timeline and Location
The suspect entered the subway system in Queens from Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue and boarded the 7 train en route to Grand Central-42 Street station. After attacking one person on the platform, he climbed to another level and targeted two additional victims. Tisch noted that the assailant had ignored at least 20 demands to drop his weapon before the confrontation.
Background of the Suspect
Anthony Griffin had a history of prior arrests but no documented records of emotionally disturbed person (EDP) reports with the NYPD. Authorities confirmed no ties to terrorism were found in the investigation, though the attack remains under review.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani commended the police for their swift action and announced the release of body camera footage from the event. Residents were advised to steer clear of the area while the investigation continued.