Man charged in Times Square machete attack on police | 24CA News
A person accused of attacking police with a machete close to New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve was arrested on prices of making an attempt to homicide officers, police mentioned Monday as authorities proceed to analyze whether or not he was motivated by Islamic extremism.
Trevor Bickford, 19, additionally faces tried assault prices from the assault that injured two officers on the fringe of the high-security zone the place throngs of latest 12 months’s revellers have been gathered, the New York Police Department mentioned in a launch.
Bickford, who lives in Wells, Maine, remained hospitalized Monday with a gunshot wound to the shoulder from police fireplace in the course of the confrontation. He was awaiting arraignment, and it wasn’t instantly clear whether or not he had a lawyer who might converse to the allegations. The Associated Press left messages for his family members.
The violence occurred about two hours earlier than midnight on Saturday, simply outdoors the world the place revellers are screened for weapons earlier than gaining entry to one of many world’s largest and most well-known New Year’s celebrations.
Officers, suspect anticipated to get well
Two of the officers have been struck with the machete earlier than the suspect was shot, authorities mentioned. The two officers have been hospitalized, one with a fractured cranium and the opposite with a foul reduce, and each have been anticipated to get well. So was the suspect.
A legislation enforcement official conversant in the matter informed The AP on Sunday that investigators consider Bickford travelled to New York City earlier within the week. They are analyzing whether or not he made the journey particularly to assault police on the Times Square festivities, the official mentioned.
New York City police and federal officers are nonetheless attempting to discern a motive, and investigators are reviewing Bickford’s on-line postings, which included some mentions of Islamic extremist views, the official mentioned. The official couldn’t publicly talk about particulars in regards to the ongoing investigation and spoke to The AP on situation of anonymity.
Michael Driscoll, the assistant director answerable for the FBI’s New York area workplace, mentioned Sunday that investigators consider the attacker acted alone.
FBI spokespeople in New York and Boston declined to debate the continued inquiry Monday. Boston area workplace spokesperson Kristen Setera known as it a “very active investigation.”
FBI brokers have been seen Sunday evening coming into Bickford’s household dwelling in Wells, a preferred seaside vacation spot near the New Hampshire border. Bickford competed in sports activities in highschool, was a part of Maine’s state champion wrestling crew in 2020 and made the honour roll for his research a minimum of one 12 months.
The principal at Wells High School declined to touch upon Monday. Messages in search of remark have been despatched to the wrestling coach.
Two officers struck
Bickford’s father died unexpectedly in 2018, in response to a web-based obituary.
The machete assault occurred about two hours earlier than midnight on Saturday, simply outdoors the world the place individuals are screened for weapons earlier than gaining entry to one of many world’s largest and most well-known New Year’s celebrations.
Two of the officers have been struck with the machete earlier than an officer shot the suspect, authorities mentioned. One officer suffered a fractured cranium and the opposite has a foul reduce. Both have been anticipated to get well, as was the suspect.
The violent assault briefly despatched some folks working, however the festivities in Times Square continued.
