A chaotic scene unfolded Saturday morning at New York City’s busy Grand Central Terminal when a man armed with a large knife slashed three people in what appeared to be random attacks. The suspect was fatally shot by police moments later, authorities said.
The incident began around 9:40 a.m. on the 4, 5, and 6 subway platform at Grand Central-42nd Street. Officers responded after a civilian flagged them down and they found one of the slashing victims. They quickly encountered the armed man, identified by the NYPD as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin.
According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Griffin was “behaving erratically” and repeatedly claimed he was “Lucifer.” He refused multiple commands to drop the large knife and instead advanced toward the officers. Police shot him after he ignored at least 20 orders to comply. Officers also tried to calm the situation, telling him they would get him help. Griffin was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“The individual refused to comply with at least 20 orders to drop the knife,” Tisch said. “Officers also attempted to deescalate and offer assistance.”
The slashings happened in quick succession and did not appear to be targeted. Investigators said Griffin had boarded a Manhattan-bound 7 train in Queens around 9:30 a.m. When the train reached Grand Central, he slashed an 84-year-old man on the platform. He then moved upstairs to the 4, 5, and 6 platform area, where he attacked a 65-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman.
All three victims suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were hospitalized. No officers were hurt during the confrontation, and the entire incident was captured on body-worn cameras.
In response, the NYPD urged people to avoid the area while the investigation was underway. The MTA temporarily rerouted 4, 5, 6, and 7 trains, bypassing Grand Central. Service has since resumed as the probe continues.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the officers’ quick actions. “I’m grateful to the NYPD for their quick response and for preventing additional violence,” he said in a statement. He noted that the department is conducting an internal review and will release the body-camera footage, as is standard in officer-involved shootings.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was briefed on the event and thanked the “brave officers who acted quickly to stop the suspect.”
A large knife believed to be the weapon used in the attacks was recovered at the scene.
This remains an active investigation, and officials said more details may be released as they become available. The attack briefly disrupted one of the nation’s busiest transportation hubs but caused no further injuries beyond the three victims.