The attack occurred shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday night, just blocks from the heavily guarded perimeter of Times Square, where people must submit to a strip search to enter.
Two of the police officers involved had to be hospitalised: one with a fractured skull and the other with a severe cut. However, their life is not in danger.
The suspect is a 19-year-old boy
Authorities have not released the suspect’s identity, but said he was a 19-year-old man. Even his life is not in danger.
There was some commotion near the site of the attack when shots were fired at the suspect, but celebrations in Times Square continued as if nothing had happened.
An investigation has been opened to shed light on this attack as well as to understand the suspect’s motives. The police, however, clarified that there was no longer any danger to the population.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a press conference that he was able to speak with one of the affected officers while he was in the hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.
“He was in a good frame of mind, according to the mayor. He realizes he’s saved the lives of some New Yorkers tonight. »
An isolated act?
The suspect who was arrested allegedly acted alone, according to the deputy director of the office FBI in New York, Michael Driscoll.
The NYPD organizes a major operation every year to ensure the safety of the crowds who gather in Times Square to welcome in the new year. Thousands of agents are deployed in the area, including many recruits.
One of the injured officers graduated from the police academy on Friday, Mayor Adams said.
During these celebrations, Times Square is only accessible through checkpoints where officers use metal detectors to locate weapons. Large bags and refrigerators are prohibited. Barriers are also installed to prevent vehicle attacks.
However, the security perimeter cannot extend beyond a certain area. The attack took place on 8th Avenue, often crowded with a dense crowd trying to reach one of the site’s official entrances.
