The NYPD and the FBI are investigating after three officers were attacked by a man with a machete just blocks away from Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
?#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
?#UPDATE: Police are reportedly evacuating everyone near the area near 8th Ave. near the NYC Times Square NYE celebration area with reports of a suspect in custody. After causing mass panic the two NYPD officers have been transported to the local hospitals pic.twitter.com/F9qltu1EAs
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 1, 2023
The attack on the officers is being investigated as a possible incident of terrorism because of online postings and the method of attack by the 19-year-old suspect, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
The attack happened near 57th and 8th around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night, just hours before the ball drop.
One victim, an rookie NYPD officer on his first day on the job who was stabbed with a machete on New Year’s Eve just blocks from Times Square — and police believe the incident was Muslim terrorism. The officer — who graduated Friday and was assigned to a Staten Island precinct — was stationed at West 52nd Street and 8th Avenue when the attack occurred.
#BREAKING: Incident unfolding in Times Square, reports of officers down. #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/Jar3pqQVrd
— Breaking 4 News (@Breaking_4_News) January 1, 2023
ABC reported, all three officers were hospitalized, one with a fractured skull and another with a bad cut, but were expected to recover.
The suspect , believed to be from Maine, is expected to survive after being shot by police.