Knifeman calling himself 'Lucifer' slashes three at NYC's Grand Central
Key Takeaways
- A 44-year-old man allegedly attacked three people with a machete at Grand Central station before police shot and killed him, police say.
- The victims — two men (84 and 65) and a 70-year-old woman — were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
- Officials say the suspect ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon; it has been reported that he repeatedly called himself "Lucifer."
- The incident closed parts of Grand Central, diverting trains at one of the nation's busiest rail hubs and disrupting commuters, including immigrants with time-sensitive appointments.
- City officials will release body‑worn camera footage; the assailant had prior arrests but no NYPD Emotionally Disturbed Person (EDP) report history.
What happened
Police said the attack began Saturday morning after the suspect entered the subway at Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue in Queens, boarded the 7 train and then struck people at Grand Central–42 Street station. NYPD (New York Police Department) officials identified the assailant as 44‑year‑old Anthony Griffin. According to police, he slashed an 84‑year‑old man and a 65‑year‑old man about the head and face, and a 70‑year‑old woman suffered cuts to her shoulder. One officer fired two shots after the suspect allegedly advanced toward officers with a large knife described as a machete; the suspect was later pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.
It has been reported that the assailant repeatedly stated he was "Lucifer" and ignored at least 20 demands to drop the weapon, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised officers for acting quickly; officials said they will release body‑worn camera footage. Police also noted the suspect had three prior arrests but no EDP (Emotionally Disturbed Person) report history with the NYPD.
Impact on commuters and immigrant communities
Grand Central is a major transit hub serving subway lines, the Metro‑North commuter railroad and connections for people traveling across the region. The attack briefly diverted trains and led to station closures and crowding. For immigrants and visa applicants who rely on public transit to reach time‑sensitive appointments — such as USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) interviews, immigration court hearings managed by EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review), consular travel, or legal consultations — such disruptions can mean missed slots, delayed filings or additional costs to reschedule. Lawyers and legal service providers often urge clients to confirm appointments directly with agencies if a transit disruption affects travel.
Legal and policy context
The incident raises familiar questions about public‑safety responses to people who may be experiencing mental‑health crises. An EDP report is an NYPD designation used when officers encounter individuals believed to be emotionally disturbed; Commissioner Tisch’s statement that there was no prior EDP history underscores limits in the existing intersection of policing and mental‑health services. For immigrants, transparency around police actions matters: the promised release of body‑camera footage may affect public trust, especially among communities that are wary of law enforcement interactions. Practically, anyone with an urgent immigration deadline who was affected by the disruption should contact the relevant agency or court promptly to explain the delay and seek rescheduling options.
Source: Original Article