A native of Guinea in West Africa,[13] he had arrived in the U.S. in 2000. Did you encounter any technical issues? A diary found by investigators may have indicated the suspect believed he was on a suicide mission: He left notes about who would inherit belongings and where he wanted to be buried, the sources said. Terrorist-related propaganda and personal writings were found in his backpack, they said. NBC New York reported that Paul Cozzolino Jr. is the officer who suffered the fractured skull and that had just graduated from the police academy the day before the attack. Montagues father told the New Haven Register in a March 3 interview that he had been advised not to comment. I applaud our NYPD investigators, our partners on the FBIs New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York for their combined efforts on this important case.. "All three of the officers are in stable conditions and there are no critical threats to New Yorkers at this time.". Three law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the investigation said late Sunday that authorities were looking into whether the suspect reached for one of the officers' service weapons during their takedown. "We are really pleased by the response and how our officers handled this situation," Mayor Eric Adams said. [37], "FBI Looked at Ohio Machete Attacker Four Years Ago", "Owner of Ohio Deli Targeted by Machete Terrorist: "We Are Israeli, We Fight Back", "Married Couple Injured in Machete Attack Call Survival a 'Miracle', "Witness Describes His Attempt To Stop Machete Attack Suspect", "Random act or Islamist terrorism? The attack happened shortly after 10 p.m. at West 52nd Street and 8th Avenue, just outside checkpoints for the high-security zone set up for celebrants, officials said at a news conference early . Trevor Bickford, a 19-year-old resident of Wells, Maine nearly 300 miles from Times Square is also facing two counts of attempted assault, police said. To carry out his jihadist mission, Bickford traveled from Maine to New York City in late December. In Saturday's attack, the officers were initially hospitalized, one with a fractured skull and another with a bad cut, Sewell said. Recognize that with any force multiplier, you want to control distance. ", NYE SLASHING SUSPECT TREVOR BICKFORD CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER OF POLICE OFFICERS. Fight against those who do not believe in Allah. Trevor Bickford, the 19-year-old accused of attacking New York Police Department officers with a machete on New Year's Eve, traveled to the city "in order to kill people and carry out jihad . By Marc Tracy. Multiple law enforcement officials said they were looking into whether the attacker traveled to New York specifically to target police on New Years Eve. In Jamaica Queens in 2014, a radicalized man named Zale Thompson attacked three officerswithout warning with a hatchet, nearly killing one of the officers. Now shes being held on $500,000 bail. All Rights Reserved. According to the allegations contained in the complaint charging the defendant: In the summer of 2022, Bickford, a 19-year-old U.S. citizen and resident of Maine, began accessing and consuming materials espousing radical Islamic ideology, including materials promoting the Taliban and reflecting the teachings of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, a prominent radical Islamic cleric who was a spiritual mentor of al Qaeda. As officers approached the vehicle, Barry emerged and lunged at them with the machete and a filet knife, yelling "Allahu Akbar! RANCHO CORDOVA A man is under arrest for the brutal machete attack Monday night on a cyclist in Rancho Cordova. Videos from the scene appeared to show revelers jogging through the rain as they were directed away from the scene by columns of police officers. . The attorney for the Yale University basketball player who was expelled last month for alleged sexual misconduct said he plans to sue the Ivy League school for excessive and unfair punishment . The attack happened shortly after 10 p.m. at West 52nd Street and 8th Avenue, just outside checkpoints for the high-security zone set up for celebrants, officials said at a news conference early Sunday. He blacked out and woke up after sundown, he said, with broken front teeth, a welt on his head and machete wounds up and down the left side of his body. Calhoun, 20, allegedly slashed Hubert Meulens, 82, with a machete in lower Manhattan the other morning. She returned later and stayed the night, Stern said. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images. No legal cases, civil or criminal, are pending against him anywhere in Connecticut, according to NBC News' review of state and federal court records. An argument ensued and one of the suspects, Richard Franck, pulled out a machete and started hacking at the father, cutting the mans upper torso and hand, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said. COLUMBUS, Ohio --From the front door, the man with the machete didn't have a straight path to people in the booths at the small . Plan.Copyright Disclaimer. Among the items recovered by law enforcement was a journal belonging to Bickford which had an entry from Dec. 31, 2022 stating that "this will likely be my last entry," and said that his brother has "joined the ranks of my enemy" after enlisting in the U.S. military, officials said. Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. [7], Baransi believes that the attack was an act of terrorism because he is Israeli and added that there were a number of other restaurants in the strip mall that Barry could have chosen to attack. or redistributed. Bickford was charged by complaint with attempting to kill officers and employees of the U.S. Government and persons assisting them. Barry left the restaurant afterwards and returned half an hour later, armed with a machete. Our NYPD family is thankful our heroic officers survived this premeditated ambush, and the entire city commends them for preventing further bloodshed during one of our nations largest public events. [27] The restaurant fully reopened at 11:00a.m. on that day,[28] but it was abruptly closed down again hours later, with a post on social media clarifying that the staff needed more time to recuperate. A bag that Bickford brought with him to the Times Square area was subsequently recovered by law enforcement from the scene of the attack. Neighbors told NBC affiliate WJAR of Providence, Rhode Island, that they were shocked by the attack. closed in on its first berth in the NCAA Tournament in 54 years. But the fact is that proactive policing brought a huge decrease in New Yorks prison and jail populations, because preventing crime means people dont become criminals and so never need locking up. Jack Montague, the Yale basketball captain who was expelled near the end of the team's best season in a half-century, sued the university Thursday for breach of contract and defamation, a . Bickfords bag contained, among other things, a book by al-Maqdisi promoting jihad and Bickfords journal. Together with our law enforcement partners at every level of government, the Justice Department will continue to work to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute those who target and attack law enforcement and endanger the American people., On this past New Years Eve, revelers flocked to Times Square to ring in the New Year with friends and family. The suspect, hospitalized after an NYPD officer opened fire in defense, expressed pro-jihadist views overnight and possessed terrorist propaganda, law enforcement sources said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He then struck two officers in the head with the blade before he was shot in the shoulder and apprehended by police, Sewell said. Jonathan Dienst is chief justice contributor for NBC News and chief investigative reporter for WNBC-TV in New York. Whereas the fast-rising crime rates that reform has brought already have the Rikers population growing, and will likely pack the prisons soon enough. Community members held a meeting late Thursday to address the public safety concerns, KTTV reported. Both federal and local law enforcement stressed at Sunday morning's news conference the attack appeared to be an isolated incident and there was no longer a threat. FBI Assistant Director in Charge Mike Driscoll said the bureau's Joint Terrorism Task Force is involved to "ascertain what is the nature of the attack." While a motive remains under investigation, authorities are not ruling out the possibility that the suspect came to New York City specifically to attack police officers at the Times Square ball drop, law enforcement sources told ABC News. An "unprovoked" machete attack on three New York City police officers near Times Square on New Year's Eve is being investigated as a possible terrorist incident. The Yale basketball player who was expelled in February after a university committee found that he had raped a fellow student sued the university on Thursday, accusing . U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland said "We are deeply grateful for the bravery of the officers who were injured in this horrible attack and who put their lives on the line every day to serve their communities. [18], Hany Baransi, the owner and manager of the popular restaurant on North Hamilton Road,[19] describes himself as an Israeli Christian Arab who immigrated to America from Haifa, Israel. Neighbors told NBC affiliate WCSH of Portland, Maine, that the suspect is the child of divorced parents and has two siblings. CNNs Kara Scannell, Sabrina Souza, Mark Morales and Theresa Waldrop contributed to this report. He took an Amtrak train to New York City on Dec. 29, the sources said. NYC MACHETE ATTACK SUSPECT TREVOR BICKFORDS MOM ALERTED FBI TO ALLEGED EXTREMISM: REPORT. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for \"fair use\" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Assistant U.S. Barry first entered the restaurant at about 5:20p.m. and spoke to an employee. The attack took place in the security area at Times Square. [9], The officers tried to execute a PIT maneuver to force his Toyota off the road, but it was unsuccessful. The New York Police Department released an image of a knife they said had been recovered at the scene of an officer-involved shooting near Times Square on New Year's Eve. The FBIs New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies is investigating the case. One of the officer victims then shot Bickford in the shoulder, stopping his attack. A 19-year-old recent convert to an extremist Islamic ideology allegedly attacked three police officers with a machete on New Year's Eve.. Trevor Bickford was arrested after he allegedly attacked the officers in Times Square and has since been charged with multiple crimes.. Here's everything we know about the New Year's Eve machete attack. Investigators looking for motive in Ohio machete attack 01:23. We've received your submission. Bickford does not have a criminal record, the four officials said. "The male then struck two additional officers in the head with the machete." Sewell said the attack was unprovoked. Over the ensuing months, Bickford radicalized, devoting himself to violent Islamic extremism and waging jihad. Bickford was identified Sunday only as "a 19-year-old man"; police confirmed his identity Monday. William Farrington More On: assault Mormon 'swinger' charged with domestic violence, child abuse Two more men. He then swung the blade at a third officer, who shot the suspect in the shoulder, according to the NYPD. "All three of the officers are in stable conditions," Mayor Eric Adams said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. During this special event, the FBI and NYPD work together and assist each other in the performance of their respective duties, in a collective effort to ensure a safe Times Square New Years Eve celebration. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The nature of that conversation has not been revealed by investigators. A spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office told NBC News Monday afternoon it is unclear when he will be arraigned "based on a number of factors.". Four law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation said federal agents knew the suspects after having interviewed him in mid-December after a relative alerted them that he had expressed militant support for Islam. All rights reserved. We are deeply grateful for the bravery of the officers who were injured in this horrible attack and who put their lives on the line every day to serve their communities. There are additional lessons available on our website: http://get-asp.com/zgrkAttitude. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Protecting the civilians who attend the annual New Years Eve celebration in Times Square requires and involves the coordination, collaboration, and mutual assistance of multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and NYPD. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. He said that the FBI believes the attacker was acting alone. Bickford is currently in state custody and will be transported to and presented in Manhattan federal court at a later date to face the federal charges filed in the Southern District of New York. "Like, I'm sure in the back of all of our minds, now this could be a target for, you know, shooting. Spanish police on Thursday raided the home of a Moroccan man held over the machete attacks at two Catholic churches that left a church officer dead and a priest injured in the southern city of . One of the officers received a fractured skull because of the incident while the other had a bad cut, but are expected to recover. Deashe Calhoun allegedly attacked an 82-year-old man with a machete on Tuesday. The rookie officer was also struck in the head, resulting in a skull fracture and large laceration, officials said. Should authorities determine the attack was motivated by an Islamist ideology, it would make it the first terror incident associated with New Years Eve in Times Square, authorities said. Islamist terror groups have long promoted knife attacks. 3.8K 215K views 11 months ago David has been attacked with a machete, Richard's chest pains are not indigestion, Neil has come off his motorbike at 100mph, and Jack fell a substantial height onto. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. We've received your submission. neighbor Steve Isles said. Federal prosecutors included in the complaint images from body camera footage that purportedly shows Bickford during the attack, striking officers with the knife allegedly used, a kukri. The New York Police Department has seen other lone wolf terrorist-type attacks on officers. When authorities asked Bickford why he committed the attack, he said that "all men of military age were his targets; no one can work for the U.S. Government and be a true Muslim because the U.S. Government supports Israel; and he wanted to kill as many of these targets as he could. Investigators are looking into whether the suspect came to the annual ball drop specifically to wage an attack on law enforcement, the sources said. A man who attacked a stranger with a machete on a London Tube train has been jailed for a minimum of 16 years. This defender knew he had to get inside, and his double leg takedown got him in a range that the machete attack was ineffective because it couldnt be swung effectively.Want to learn more? Incident. Bickford also made pro-jihadist statements from his hospital bed overnight, according to the sources. Bickford ultimately decided that he would not travel overseas, and instead would wage jihad against the U.S. Government within the United States. (NYPD Crime stoppers). [12], Barry was 30 at the time of his death. ", Yale spokesman Thomas Conroy said the school does not comment on specific cases of student discipline "out of respect for the privacy and confidentiality of all students involved in a disciplinary process. 2. The suspect said in the diary he regrets disappointing his mother; he also wrote that he wanted his brothers to join him in his fight for Islam, they said. Legal Statement. We have strict orders from our lawyers, Jim Montague told the Register. The al-Maqdisi book encourages followers, among other things, to wage jihad against disbelievers and governments ruled by disbelievers, and to use swords on the heads of disbelievers. [3], Barry immediately swung his machete to attack Debbie and Gerald Russell, both 43,[4] who were sitting in a booth near the front of the restaurant. No further information about them was immediately available, the Malibu Times reported. Bickford, according to a criminal complaint, told authorities during his interview that he said (Allahu) Akbar before he walked up and hit the officer over the head with the weapon. Market data provided by Factset. The attack came as the homelessness crisis in Malibu continues to deteriorate, with recent crimes and fires stemming from transients in the area. He was also known to investigators because of his social media postings, the four officials said, adding that Bickford does not have a criminal record. The three officers were hospitalized, according to Sewell, who said one had a fractured skull and another had a bad cut. He criticized Yale for taking "no steps to correct these actions.". The 19-year-old also told a family member that he "wanted to travel to the Middle East so that he could be a suicide bomber for his religion," the Justice Department alleges.