Homeland Security Network Blog
NYC Machete Terror Attack: Suspect Reportedly Wanted To Join Taliban
NYC Machete Attack: Suspect Reportedly Wanted To Join Taliban—Here’s What We Know
Nicholas Reimann
A man arrested for allegedly attacking three New York City police officers near Times Square on New Year's Eve carried a diary describing his wish to die a martyr and his hope of joining the Taliban in Afghanistan, according to CNN, as details slowly emerge about the suspect.
Key Facts
The suspect, 19-year-old Trevor Bickford, has reportedly been hospitalized since police shot him Saturday night after he attacked officers at a security checkpoint near Times Square.
Police are seeking search warrants to see whether Bickford viewed terrorist propaganda leading up to the attack, CNN reported, citing sources with knowledge of the investigation.
The attack came after the New York Police Department sent a warning to law enforcement agencies Friday about the potential for "Lone Offender Attacks" on New Year's Eve inspired by a video release from an "ISIS-Aligned Media Unit," according to CNN.
Little public information has been released about the alleged attacker, who is reportedly from the small town of Wells, Maine, and it is unclear whether Bickford has an attorney or what charges he might face.
An arraignment date has not been set in the case, according to a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney, while the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.
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