In a dramatic encounter at Grand Central Terminal, a New York Police Department officer shot and killed a man wielding a machete after he allegedly attacked three individuals on a subway platform. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, claimed to be “Lucifer” during the incident.
The incident unfolded when officers responded to a 911 call reporting an ongoing assault at the bustling train station at 9:40 a.m. Upon arrival, police discovered Griffin brandishing a machete, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who addressed the situation in a press conference on Saturday.
Griffin, repeatedly asserting his identity as “Lucifer,” advanced towards the officers despite receiving more than 20 warnings to halt. Faced with the imminent threat, an officer discharged his service weapon, striking Griffin twice, Tisch explained.
The violent confrontation followed reports of multiple stabbings on a train at Grand Central Station on the morning of April 11, 2026. Griffin’s refusal to comply with police directives left them no choice but to use lethal force, resulting in his subsequent transport to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
NYPD responded to reports of an individual who allegedly stabbed people on a train at Grand Central Station on April 11, 2026. (Dean Moses/amNY)
After Griffin refused orders to drop the knife, one officer discharged his service weapon and shot him twice, she added. Griffin was transported to a local hospital and died.
Griffin had three prior unsealed arrests but no history of being an emotionally disturbed person, Tisch told reporters.
The three stabbing victims were an 84-year-old male, a 70-year-old female, and a 64-year-old male. All three were transported to local hospitals but are all in stable condition.
MTA Police responded to calls of a suspect who allegedly stabbed multiple people at Grand Central Station on April 11, 2026. (WNYW)
The 84-year-old sustained face and head lacerations, the 65-year old man sustained similar injuries in addition to an open skull fracture. The 70-year-old sustained shoulder lacerations.
Two NYPD officers were also taken to hospitals with minor injuries.
Paramedics were seen loading someone who was allegedly involved in the attack into an ambulance. (WNYW)
First responders arrived at Grand Central Terminal after a reported stabbing spree on a subway platform. (WNYW)
Tisch lauded her officers for taking action while admonishing the dangers of violent crime.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch delivers a press conference at Grand Central Station following a stabbing spree that happened on April 11, 2026. (WNYW)
“Random acts of violence scare everyone. Anyone can be a victim of random violence and that is why it is so important for New Yorkers to understand that the NYPD has recently upped our presence in the transit system,” Tisch said, while saying the NYPD added 175 additional officers last month.
The 4, 5, 6, and 7 trains are skipping the Grand Central Terminal 42nd St. stop while the NYPD conduct an investigation, the Metro Transit Authority (MTA) told Fox News Digital.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul weighed in, calling the series of stabbings a “senseless act of violence” in a Saturday morning tweet.
“I’m grateful to our brave officers who acted quickly to stop the suspect,” she wrote, adding that Albany would be working closely with the NYPD on the investigation.
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