02 January 2023 , 17:43
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A machete attack in Times Square is being investigated as a terrorism act after multiple police officers were struck in the head on New Year's Eve.
Trevor Bickford, 19, from Wells, Maine, US, allegedly injured three New York City Police Department officers outside a security screening zone in Times Square at around 10pm on Saturday, according to authorities.
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said Bickford approached officers on Manhattan's 8th Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets armed with a big knife.
He allegedly used the weapon to hit three different officers and gave a recent police graduate a fractured skull and left an officer with a huge cut to his head.
The three officers were rushed to hospital for their injuries where they are expected to make a full recovery.
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Trevor allegedly approached officers on Manhattan's 8th Avenue between 51st and 52nd street armed with a weapon (Facebook)Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference on Sunday that he spoke to one of the wounded officers as he was being stitched up at the hospital.
“He was in good spirits,” Adams said. “He understood that his role saved lives of New Yorkers today.”
One officer fired at the suspect causing him an injury to his shoulder but it is thought to be non-life threatening.
FBI deputy Mike Driscoll believes this was a sole individual attack (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)According to a preliminary review the suspect has no previous arrests but was known to police due to his previous online behaviour.
Police said they are looking to investigate whether the man had previously posted jihadist content online and if he had specifically travelled to New York to allegedly attack cops.
The FBI's Joint Terrorism task Force are assisting the investigation along with the FBI.
Mike Driscoll, assistant director in charge of the New York FBI Field Office, said: "We believe this was a sole individual at this time, there's nothing to suggest otherwise."
The area around Times Square remains cordoned off (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)The attack happened just as huge crowds of people were lined up waiting to join the firework celebrations on New Year's Eve.
The Time Square celebrations were not impacted by the attack.
However, authorities have since cordoned off the area as an investigation into the attack gets underway.
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According to the NYPD, there is a huge security operation each year to keep revellers safe with thousands of cops sent to the area - with many including new graduates.
Mayor Eric Adams said they would review the body cam footage from the officers to see if the plan to keep the public safe paid off.
He said: "As we do a preliminary review of the body cam video, we see how well these officers executed the plan that was put in place by the New York City Police Department in ensuring we protect those who came here to bring in a new year."