The university provost signed off on the decision, he said. Bickford identified an NYPD officer who was isolated from civilians and other officers, took out the kukri from his backpack, declared Allahu Akbar, and attacked the officer. Over the ensuing months, Bickford radicalized, devoting himself to violent Islamic extremism and waging jihad. The attack began when a man approached an officer and tried to strike him over the head with the machete before striking two officers in the head with the blade, Police Commissioner Keechant. "All three of the officers are in stable conditions," Mayor Eric Adams said. But she kept getting released until blood finally flowed. [23], The Washington Post described Barsani as a "popular local figure" and his restaurant as a "multicultural mingling place"; a painting of a Christian, a Jew, and a Muslim in amicable conversation hangs on the wall. 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 . The suspect then struck two additional officers. As detailed in todays complaint, we allege that the defendant plotted a jihad-inspired attack targeting U.S. government officials, and on December 31st, 2022, attacked three NYPD officers who were part of the joint federal-state law enforcement operation protecting the Times Square New Years Eve celebration, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. Montague said that it was, Stern said. No further information about them was immediately available, the Malibu Times reported. "Like, I'm sure in the back of all of our minds, now this could be a target for, you know, shooting. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Jacquellena Carrero is a Desk Reporter at NBC News. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. [2] According to restaurant owner Hany Baransi, the employee told Barry that Barsani is from Israel. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. A Title IX official filed a complained with the University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct, Stern said. Investigators are also looking into whether Bickford may have stayed at a homeless shelter upon arrival, the four officials said. 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. 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. Neighbors told NBC affiliate WCSH of Portland, Maine, that the suspect is the child of divorced parents and has two siblings. He took an Amtrak train to New York City on Dec. 29, the sources said. 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. There are additional lessons available on our website: http://get-asp.com/zgrkAttitude. Bickfords alleged attack in one of the most visited destinations in the world on its busiest night of the year ironically only served to spotlight the coordination, resolve and dedication of American law enforcement to guard the wellbeing of the public. "They're all telling us to go towards the viewing area for the ball drop and everybody's running, everybody's panicking," Lyugovski said. That gesture triggered a backlash from student activists who accused the team of "supporting a rapist." Market data provided by Factset. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The location of 52nd Street and Eighth Avenue was an access checkpoint at which spectators could gain entry to the events in Times Square, and both FBI and NYPD personnel were deployed in the area of the checkpoint, including the three officers whom Bickford attacked. Police called to 'frenzied machete attack' in Woolwich, south-east London, in which one man, reported to be a soldier, died. [24], The restaurant was closed down in the immediate wake of the attack, with a partial reopening four days after the attack. According to Stern, the accusation against Montague stems from an October 2014 encounter at his room, where he and his accuser had sex and went their separate ways. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. We are committed to holding those who would target law enforcement with violence fully accountable., As we allege today, Bickford deliberately planned and executed his violent attack against New York City Police Officers who were simply doing their job protecting the public, said Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll of the FBI New York Field Office. Barry first entered the restaurant at about 5:20p.m. and spoke to an employee. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. On behalf of the City Council, I want to thank our local sheriffs deputies for their quick response to remove the suspects before they could harm anyone else, Grisanti said in a statement. [22] An Israeli flag is on display inside his restaurant. The driver of the Mercedes called 9-1-1, explaining that he had just gotten into an accident and that the other driver had a large knife. Rosemary Vassallo-Vellucci, who represents Bickford in that case, previously told CNN her client should be presumed innocent. 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. Bickford was previously indicted on more than a dozen state charges, including several terrorism charges, according to the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. 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. As officers approached the vehicle, Barry emerged and lunged at them with the machete and a filet knife, yelling "Allahu Akbar! Do you have the attitude, skills, and plan to engage a machete attack? Did you encounter any technical issues? The incident occurred just after 10 p.m. on Saturday near West 52nd Street and 8th Avenue, outside the secure area that had been set up for New Year's Eve celebrations, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell told reporters at a news conference at Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital. 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. Thanks for contacting us. Now shes being held on $500,000 bail. Bickfords bag contained, among other things, a book by al-Maqdisi promoting jihad and Bickfords journal. (NYPD Crime stoppers). A native of Guinea in West Africa,[13] he had arrived in the U.S. in 2000. Five men were wounded, two of whom were hospitalized in critical . If convicted on all counts in the federal case, Bickford could face up to 80 years in prison, according to prosecutors. A man suspected of attacking three New York City police officers with a machete just outside a New Year's Eve security checkpoint in Times Square and who is believed to have expressed militant support for Islam was arrested Monday on two counts of attempted murder, police said. Official websites use .gov Im like, blown away to think so close to home that someone would like go all the way to New York and commit the crime, Bethanne Brunelle told the local outlet. Bickford has no prior arrests. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Mormon swinger charged with domestic violence, child abuse, Two more men wanted in $500K NYC jewelry heist that injured 79-year-old woman, Wild video shows NYC crooks attack elderly woman in $500K jewel heist, Man fatally beats coworker with baseball bat at Intel cafeteria: police. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! It was the fourth time they'd slept together, all consensual, Stern said. Yale's dean accepted the committee's findings in support of the woman, and ordered Montague expelled, Stern said. Surveillance video showed the perpetrator leaving his home by foot towards the spa which was less than two kilometres from his home. Market data provided by Factset. [14] He had worked in computer programming and information technology. [1] However, NBC News reported that Barry asked the employee where the restaurant's owner was from. Clearly, the threat of jihadist terrorism remains very real, and our countrys security begins with the dedicated local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who are committed to keeping us safe. Officials expected as many as 1 million people to crowd the area. "We are really pleased by the response and how our officers handled this situation," Mayor Eric Adams said. Islamic extremism. Deashe Calhoun allegedly attacked an 82-year-old man with a machete on Tuesday. The suspect in the New Years Eve machete attack on three police officers in New York City has been charged with four counts of attempted murder, according to federal court documents, in addition to several state charges already lodged against him. [1][7] Foley, the Russells, and Neil McMeekin all suffered injuries from the attack. He understood that his role saved lives of New Yorkers today, Adams said. Attorneys Sarah L. Kushner and Kaylan E. Lasky for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney D. Andrew Sigler of the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section. 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. Officials on Sunday said the attack occurred shortly after 10 p.m. at West 52nd Street and Eighth Avenue, just outside high-security checkpoints that celebrants had to pass through. Bickford approached the NYPD officers, declared Allahu Akbaran Arabic phrase meaning God is great, which other radical Islamic extremists have similarly proclaimed while carrying out terrorist attacksand stabbed and struck the officers in the head with his kukri. 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.