Suspect Anthony Griffin Killed After Machete Attack at Grand Central; Three Injured

A violent and unsettling scene unfolded at New York City’s 42nd Street–Grand Central subway station early Saturday morning when a machete-wielding man attacked three commuters, leaving the city grappling with yet another instance of underground violence.

The confrontation began around 9:40 a.m., when police received reports of stabbings at the bustling transit hub. Authorities arrived to find the suspect, later identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, acting erratically and claiming to be “Lucifer,” according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Despite repeated commands to drop his weapon, Griffin ignored police orders, ultimately advancing toward officers with the machete extended. In response, an officer fired two shots, fatally wounding the suspect. Griffin was later pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

The victims, an 84-year-old man, a 65-year-old man, and a 70-year-old woman, suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, including significant facial lacerations and an open skull fracture. The attacks appeared to be random, with the suspect first assaulting a victim on one platform before moving to another level and slashing two more commuters.

The violent episode caused widespread panic as witnesses reported frantic crowds rushing for the exits, while the sound of gunfire echoed through the station. Train service was halted for hours, disrupting the city’s morning rush.

As the investigation continues, New Yorkers are left grappling with the horror of yet another senseless act of violence in one of the city’s busiest transit centers, further raising concerns over safety in public spaces.