A 44-year-old man allegedly attacked three people with a machete at Grand Central Station in New York City on April 12, 2026. The incident took place on a subway platform during the morning rush hour, around 9:50 am. Police identified the man as Anthony Griffin, who reportedly wielded the weapon while declaring himself “Lucifer”. The assault appears to have been unprovoked.

According to reports, the victims included an 85-year-old man, a 65-year-old man, and a 70-year-old woman. The older man sustained a serious cut to his head, while the other two individual suffered various cuts. Emergency services rushed the victims to a hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment and are reportedly in stable condition.

Witnesses at the scene expressed shock at the sudden nature of the attack, which unfolded in a busy public space. The swift action of the police is credited with limiting further casualties during the incident, which was marked by chaos as commuters fled in fear.

Police Response to the Attack

Following the attack, two detectives from the New York Police Department (NYPD) confronted Griffin, ordering him to drop the machete. Authorities stated that Griffin refused to comply with at least twenty commands to relinquish the weapon. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed at a press conference that officers had attempted to deescalate the situation by offering help and urging Griffin to disarm.

Despite the officers’ efforts, Commissioner Tisch reported that Griffin advanced towards them with the machete drawn. This ultimately led to the police discharging their firearms, resulting in Griffin being shot. He was pronounced dead shortly after. The police stated that they are conducting an internal investigation into the event, which is standard procedure in cases involving the use of deadly force.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed gratitude to the NYPD for their quick response, highlighting the importance of their actions in averting further violence. He confirmed that the bodies worn camera footage from the officers present would be released as part of their investigation into the incident.

Previous Concerns and Security Issues

This is not the first high-profile security incident in the vicinity of City Hall since Mayor Mamdani took office. Just weeks earlier, in March 2026, the NYPD identified two suspects tied to an attempted bomb attack outside Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s residence. Investigators found that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used during that incident, further raising concerns regarding public safety in New York.

The NYPD has indicated that they are cooperating with federal partners, including the FBI, in investigating potential terrorism-related concerns that may arise from this and past events. The Joint Terrorism Task Force is actively involved in the investigations concerning these threats against public safety.

Authorities are reportedly reviewing security protocols at Grand Central Station and other sensitive locations within the city to prevent similar incidents in the future. The ongoing investigations aim to shed light on the motivations behind such acts of violence and enhance public safety measures.

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