Two Stabbings at Major NYC Transit Hubs Over Single Weekend

Three people were stabbed at Grand Central Terminal on Saturday, and five more were attacked at Penn Station on Sunday. One suspect was fatally shot by police.

Incident One: Grand Central Terminal

Incident Summary

On Saturday morning at approximately 9:40 a.m., a man stabbed three people on subway platforms at the 42nd Street-Grand Central station in Manhattan. The suspect, identified by police as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, was later shot by police and pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

Sequence of Events

According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), surveillance footage indicated Griffin entered the subway system in Queens on Saturday morning. He boarded a No. 7 train at Vernon Boulevard and arrived at Grand Central.

Police stated Griffin first stabbed an 84-year-old man on the No. 7 train platform. He then moved to the platform for the No. 4, 5, and 6 subway lines, where he attacked two additional victims: a 65-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman.

Victims and Injuries

The three victims were identified as:

• An 84-year-old man: Sustained a slash wound to the head.
• A 65-year-old man: Sustained a slash wound and an open skull fracture.
• A 70-year-old woman: Sustained a laceration to the shoulder.

All three victims were transported to local hospitals. Police reported their injuries were stable and not believed to be life-threatening.

Police Response

Two NYPD detectives working an overtime transit detail encountered one of the victims while responding. They later encountered Griffin, who was carrying a knife described by police as a machete.

According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Griffin was acting erratically and stated he was "Lucifer." The detectives ordered Griffin over 20 times to drop the knife. Police stated officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, telling Griffin they would get him help.

When Griffin advanced toward the detectives with the blade extended, one detective shot him twice. Officers performed CPR at the scene before Griffin was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police Commissioner Tisch stated the entire incident was captured on body-worn camera. The NYPD is conducting an internal investigation, standard procedure for incidents involving an officer discharging a firearm, and stated it will release the footage.

Suspect Background

Police identified the suspect as Anthony Griffin, 44. Commissioner Tisch stated Griffin had three prior arrests: two in New York City and one in Upstate New York. She also stated Griffin had no history of "emotionally disturbed person" (EDP) reports filed by the NYPD.

Motive and Investigation

Police stated there is no connection to terrorism. Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta stated the attacks "appear to be random acts." The investigation is ongoing. The suspect's identity and a specific motive for the attack were not immediately known.

Official Statements

• New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement saying he was "grateful to the NYPD for their quick response and for preventing additional violence." He noted the NYPD is conducting an internal investigation.
• New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated on social media she had been briefed on the incident and was "grateful to our brave officers who acted quickly to stop the suspect."

Transit Disruptions

The MTA announced that 4, 5, 6, and 7 trains were bypassing the Grand Central-42nd Street station due to the police investigation. The NYPD issued an alert advising the public to avoid the area. The MTA stated it expected further delays on the subway lines. Train service resumed stopping at the station in the afternoon, according to the MTA's website.

Witness Account

Beau Lardner, 34, reported hearing bangs "loud enough to hear through headphones" while entering Grand Central station. Lardner described a "wall of people" rushing toward turnstiles to exit the station and said he had "never seen a crowd move like that."

Incident Two: Penn Station

Incident Summary

On Sunday evening at approximately 7 p.m., five people were stabbed on the NJ Transit concourse at Penn Station in Manhattan.

Victims and Injuries

According to the FDNY, one person sustained a serious injury, two had moderate injuries, and the remaining two suffered minor injuries. Sources stated none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening. All victims were transported to Bellevue Hospital.

Suspect and Arrest

The suspect, described by law enforcement as emotionally disturbed and by other sources as a man experiencing homelessness, was arrested by Amtrak police. A law enforcement source stated preliminary reports suggested the attack was random.

Investigation

The circumstances surrounding the stabbing are under investigation. Police advised the public to avoid the area due to expected traffic delays, road closures, and mass transit disruptions.