Knifeman calling himself ‘Lucifer’ slashes three at NYC’s Grand Central

A suspect armed with a machete launched an attack on three individuals at New York City’s Grand Central station, prompting police to fatally shoot him. The incident, which unfolded at the nation’s busiest rail hub, disrupted train services as the attacker moved through the station with erratic behavior.

Victims of the attack

According to police, the assailant targeted two men and a woman, inflicting head and facial injuries on the elderly male victims. A 70-year-old woman received shoulder cuts during the assault on the subway platform. The suspect, identified as Anthony Griffin, 44, was described as ignoring repeated calls to lower his weapon.

“Innocent people were attacked in a senseless act of violence,” stated New York Governor Kathy Hochul, reflecting on the incident. Mayor Zohran Mamdani commended officers for their swift reaction, promising to share body camera footage of the event.

Details of the assault

NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed the suspect entered the subway system via Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue in Queens on Saturday morning. He boarded the 7 train, heading to Grand Central-42 Street station, where he first attacked a man on the platform. After moving upstairs, the attacker struck two additional victims on another platform.

Commissioner Tisch detailed that the 84-year-old man suffered severe head wounds, while the 65-year-old victim had comparable injuries, including a fractured skull. Two transit officers, alerted at 09:40 EDT (13:40 GMT), described the individual as wielding a large knife and repeatedly declaring his name as Lucifer. Despite 20 warnings to surrender the weapon, he advanced toward the officers with the blade raised.

The officer fired twice, killing the suspect, who later died at Bellevue Hospital. All three victims were transported to medical facilities with injuries assessed as not life-threatening. Authorities have advised the public to stay clear of the area while the investigation continues. Griffin had a history of three prior arrests but no records of an EDP (Emotionally Disturbed Person) report with the NYPD.