New York: Machete attack injures police officers near Times Square New Year celebrations as suspect shot | World News
Counterterrorism experts are investigating a machete attack on police in New York that injured three officers.
A man armed with a weapon attacked officers outside the security fence for the city’s main Times Square celebration around 10pm on New Year’s Eve.
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell told reporters: “Without cause, a 19-year-old male approached an officer and tried to hit him in the head with a machete.
“The man then hit two other officers on the head with a machete.”
It is understood that one of the targets, who was not seriously injured, shot the suspect in the shoulder to arrest him.
All three officers suffered non-life threatening injuries. One person suffered a skull fracture while the other is said to have a deep cut.
The incident happened near New York’s New Year celebrations in Times Square
No motive has yet been identified.
But law enforcement officials are said to be examining whether the man who allegedly attacked officers had previously posted what they called jihadist posts online and that he had to New York City to deliberately target the police.
NBC News, the affiliate of Sky News, reports that the FBI’s joint counterterrorism task force is participating in the investigation.
Celebrations in Times Square were not affected by the emergency services response to the attack.
Police believe no one else is involved.
