NEW YORK, NY – The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken control of the investigation after three New York City police officers were attacked by a machete-wielding suspect near Times Square just before the ball dropped, bringing in the new year.
The attack occurred in the area of West 52nd Street and 8th Avenue at around 10:11 pm, police reported. Officers were assigned to a security detail for the ongoing New Year’s Eve celebration outside of the security screening zone.
A 19-year-old male suspect was taken into custody. Police said the man approached a New York City cop and attempted to strike him in the head with the machete. The attack was unprovoked, according to Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
The man then moved to two other officers, attacking them in the same manner. The three officers were rushed to Bellvue Hospital for treatment of injuries that included a skull fracture and lacerations.
Sources revealed the suspect had been under investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force previously. He was shot in the shoulder by police before being taken into custody. This has not been confirmed and the FBI refused to speak about the matter.
FBI investigator Mike Driscoll did not reveal any details about the attacker but said he was a lone actor, and no further threat exists at this time.
One of the injured police officers was a rookie cop who graduated from the police academy the day prior.