A violent rampage unfolded at New York City's Grand Central Terminal on Saturday morning when a man armed with a machete slashed three elderly individuals before being fatally shot by police officers.
According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, entered the subway system in Queens and boarded a 7 train to Grand Central. Upon arrival, he attacked an 84-year-old man and a 65-year-old man on one platform, inflicting severe head and facial injuries, including an open skull fracture on the younger victim. He then moved to another platform where he slashed a 70-year-old woman in the shoulder.
"The individual was armed with a large knife, described as a machete, and was behaving erratically, repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer," Commissioner Tisch told reporters.
Transit officers responded to the scene at 9:40 a.m. EDT after being alerted to the attacks. Police say Griffin ignored at least 20 commands to drop his weapon and instead advanced toward officers with the machete extended. One officer discharged his firearm, striking the suspect twice. Despite life-saving attempts, Griffin was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.
All three victims were transported to hospitals with injuries not believed to be life-threatening. Authorities have confirmed no connection to terrorism in the incident, which caused significant disruptions at the nation's busiest rail hub.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the "senseless act of violence" in a statement, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the officers' rapid response and announced that police body camera footage would be released. The NYPD noted that Griffin had three prior arrests but no history of Emotionally Disturbed Person reports with the department.