NYC Subway Riders Caught in Violent Machete Assault That Ends in Fatal Shooting

New York City saw a tense morning on Saturday, April 11, when a man armed with a machete allegedly attacked three people at the 42 St-Grand Central subway station, one of the busiest transit hubs in the city.

Police said the attack appeared to be random, and the suspect was later shot by officers after he continued moving toward them with the weapon. The incident caused panic in the station and briefly disrupted subway service.

According to police, officers were called to the station around 9:40 a.m. after reports of multiple stabbings. By the time they reached the scene, three people had already been injured.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the suspect was acting erratically and repeatedly said he was "Lucifer," while officers tried more than 20 times to get him to drop the knife and calm down. She said officers also tried to de-escalate the situation and told him they would get him help.

Police identified the suspect as Anthony Griffin, 44. Officials said Griffin first entered the subway system in Queens and rode the No. 7 train to Grand Central. Once inside the station, Griffin allegedly attacked an 84-year-old man on one platform, then went upstairs and injured a 70-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man on another platform.

Newsbreak said the victims suffered injuries that included cuts, and one man had a serious head injury. Police said all three victims were in stable condition, and their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

When officers reached Griffin, police said he still had the machete and was advancing toward them. Police said one officer fired two shots, striking Griffin and stopping the threat. Griffin was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities also said two officers were taken to the hospital in stable condition. The incident was recorded on body-worn cameras, and police said they planned to review the footage as part of the investigation.

The attack left commuters shaken at one of New York’s most crowded stations. Transit officials said the assault appeared to be random, and trains bypassed the station temporarily while police secured the area.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul praised the officers for acting quickly, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he had been briefed on the incident. Additionally, Hochul wrote in a social media post:

“New Yorkers deserve to feel safe every time they step onto a train platform, and we will do everything it takes to protect them."

On X, the New York City Emergency Management agency posted, "Expect traffic delays, road closures, mass transit disruptions and emergency personnel near East 42nd Street and Depew Place in Manhattan. Avoid the area."

Police also said Griffin had three prior arrests. The case has renewed concern about safety in the subway system, especially when violent attacks happen in places where thousands of people pass through every day.