While New York City was gearing up for the iconic ball drop in Times Square, three police personnel were attacked by a man with a machete right outside a security screening zone near the area.
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell later said, “One officer, an 8-year veteran, suffered a laceration to the head. The second officer, who graduated the police academy on Friday, was also struck in the head, resulting in a skull fracture and large laceration”. It was later reported that New Year’s Eve was the first day on the job for the latter.
The attack happened at West 52nd Street and Eighth Avenue at around 10:00 PM, according to a report published by CBS News.
Mayor Eric Adams said regarding the incident, “We’re really pleased by the response and how our officers handled this situation. All three of the officers are in stable conditions and there are no credible threats to New Yorkers at this time”.
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He later commended the officers at the scene who returned to work their shifts despite the injuries suffered by their colleagues “because we still had a city we had to protect,”
Check out the press conference right here:
The Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with the FBI and the NYPD, are investigating the case. FBI’s New York Field Office assistant director Mike Driscoll has said, “There is no ongoing threat. We believe this was a sole individual at this time. There’s nothing to indicate otherwise”. He further added that the federal agency “will run every lead to the ground.”
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It was later revealed that the 19-year-old suspect was shot in the shoulder by one of the officers he attacked.
