Chaos erupted at New York City’s Grand Central subway station Saturday morning as a man wielding a machete launched a series of random attacks on unsuspecting commuters.
Police responded to frantic 9:40 a.m. calls, arriving to find a man behaving erratically and proclaiming himself “Lucifer,” according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Despite repeated commands – twenty in total – to drop the weapon, the man advanced on officers with the machete extended, forcing them to open fire. He was struck twice and later pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.
The suspect was identified as Anthony Griffin, 44, with a history of prior arrests. Authorities believe the attacks were completely random, targeting individuals without apparent motive.
Three victims – an 84-year-old man, a 65-year-old man, and a 70-year-old woman – suffered injuries ranging from significant head and facial lacerations to an open skull fracture and a shoulder wound. Thankfully, their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
The attacks unfolded in two stages: one on a platform within the Grand Central station, and another upstairs on a separate platform, spreading fear and confusion throughout the busy transit hub.
Witness Beau Lardner described a terrifying scene, recalling a “wall of people” surging towards the turnstiles after hearing loud bangs. He sprinted for safety, having “never seen a crowd move like that” in his years commuting through the station.
Authorities swiftly urged travelers to avoid the area, anticipating significant delays and heavy traffic as the investigation commenced. Some subway lines temporarily bypassed the station, disrupting service for countless commuters.
The swift actions of the responding officers were praised for preventing further harm and protecting New Yorkers navigating one of the city’s most heavily trafficked transportation centers.
