New Year’s Eve Machete Attack Near Times Square: Suspect Charged
Trevor Bickford, 19, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of attempted assault after allegedly attacking three New York police officers with a machete near Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
Attack Details and Motive
The attack took place just after 10pm on December 31, outside the secured zone for New Year’s Eve celebrations near West 52nd Street and Eighth Avenue. Police say Bickford struck officers over the head with the weapon in an unprovoked assault.
“The male then struck two more officers in the head with the machete,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
All three officers have been released from hospital, though one rookie officer suffered a skull fracture in his first duty assignment. Bickford is still hospitalised, being treated for injuries sustained when he was shot by police.
Suspect’s Background and Terror Links
- Bickford, from Wells, Maine, allegedly travelled via Amtrak to New York on December 29.
- He was on a federal watchlist following a tip-off from his mother, who warned the FBI about his Islamic extremist leanings.
- Despite restrictions, he boarded the train and days later attacked officers with a machete he bought in Maine.
- A diary found in his backpack showed he expected to die and requested an Islamic burial.
- He reportedly shouted “Allahu Akhbar” before the assault, reinforcing suspicions of extremist motives.
Sources say Bickford deposited thousands of dollars in cash before travelling and made a large charitable donation in New York, possibly fulfilling a religious obligation.
Investigation and Security Warnings
After the attack, police found Bickford had slept in Forest Park, Queens, where a sleeping bag linked to him was recovered. Investigators want to know if he met anyone there or had further plans.
The FBI and NYPD had been monitoring suspected terror threats around New Year’s Eve. The Joint Terrorism Task Force had previously questioned Bickford after his mother and aunt’s alerts. Federal terrorism charges remain possible.
“Throughout December, multiple pro-ISIS users broadly called for attacks in advance of the New Year, advocating a wide range of low-tech tactics,” stated the NYPD’s pre-event assessment report.
The investigation into the chilling attack continues.
