Three NYPD Officers Injured in New Year’s Eve Machete Attack

Daniel ChaitinJanuary 1, 2023

A man wielding a machete injured three New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers near New Year’s celebrations in Times Square, according to authorities.

At West 52nd Street, the attack took place at 8th Avenue just outside the security screening area on Saturday around 10:11 p.m. Commissioner Keechant Sessionswell of NYPD said. said during a news conference, noting that she was sharing preliminary data.

The suspect, identified by police as a 19 year-old male, approached an officer from behind “unprovoked” Sewell claimed that the suspect attempted to strike Sewell over the head using a machete. Two other officers were also allegedly hit by the suspect’s weapon.

You can watch as the Police Commissioner Sewell and Mayor Adams give an update on a police-related incident in Manhattan. https://t.co/ha11b02Fvq

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 1, 2023

Sewell claimed that one of the officers hit the suspect in the shoulder.

All three officers were transported to a hospital, where they are currently in stable condition. The suspect was also taken into hospital for treatment. NYPD shared a photograph of the weapon that was allegedly used in this attack on social media.

This is the weapon found on the scene. https://t.co/Waaux2hUTt pic.twitter.com/EijU7QUgkQ

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 1, 2023

A laceration to his head was sustained by an eight-year-old veteran officer. Sewell reported that another officer, who was a graduate of the police academy, sustained a skull fracture, and a large laceration.

Eric Adams, New York City Democratic Mayor, said that he spoke with one of the officers who was being treated for injuries while he was in recovery. Adams stated that the officer was not in his care. “good spirits” “understood that his role saved lives of New Yorkers today.”

Adams also claimed that there were “no credible threats” New Yorkers are welcome at this moment.

The FBI is supporting the investigation.

“I want to be clear that the FBI, through the Joint Terrorism Task Force, is working very closely with [NYPD] to determine the nature of this attack,” During the news conference, Mike Driscoll, FBI assistant director in New York Field Office, spoke.

“I want to be very clear … there is no ongoing threat,” Driscoll was also added. “We believe this was a sole individual at this time. There is nothing to indicate otherwise.”