Radical Islamist assaults, injures Police officers at Times Square with a machete

On New Year’s Eve, an Islamist attacked New York Police Department (Rookie) officer recognized as Paul Cozzolino with a machete at Times Square. As per experiences, the police officer was on his first day on the job. The attacker slashed the police officer’s head with the machete prompting one other officer recognized as Michael Hanna to shoot him. Hanna was additionally a Rookie cop. The suspect was hit on the shoulder.

Another cop recognized as Louis Iorio, who was an 8-year veteran, was additionally injured and suffered a laceration on the pinnacle. Hanna was additionally injured within the assault and rushed to Mt Siani West hospital.

The attacker has been recognized as Trevor Bickford. The police arrested the suspect on the scene and brought to Bellevue hospital. 19-year-old Bickford appears to have been just lately radicalised by Islamic extremists. According to the New York Post, regulation enforcement companies are investigating the case and checking his web historical past to grasp the timeline of his radicalisation.

Paul and the opposite officer had been instantly rushed to Bellevue hospital. Another cop was injured whereas eradicating the barricades to permit cop automobiles to achieve the incident spot. However, whereas eradicating the barricades, one of many cop automobiles hit, and a barricade fell on the cop who was eradicating them. He was rushed to the closest hospital and anticipated to get better.

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell mentioned in a press release that the officer sustained a big laceration and fracture on the cranium. As per experiences, Paul graduated on December 30 and was assigned to a Staten Island precinct. However, for the New Year’s Eve element, he was stationed at West 52nd Street and eighth Avenue, the place the incident occurred at round 9:30 PM. There had been two different officers with him.

Mayor Eric Adams mentioned in a press release that the assault was “unprovoked”. Both officers are anticipated to get better quickly. Adams and Sewell mentioned of their statements that no “active threats” had been there to the group.

FBI joined the investigation

Furthermore, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force has reportedly joined the investigation. In one other report, it was talked about that the attacker was on FBI’s “Guardian Watchlist”. He was allegedly planning to journey to Afghanistan to struggle alongside the terrorists. The Post quoted an unnamed police supply saying, “No backpacks or umbrellas in Times Square. They forgot to mention machetes.”

Manifesto discovered within the backpack of radicalised youth

A manifesto was recovered from his backpack, sources advised The Post. It had a observe for the household asking them to “accept Islam. It read, “To my family — specifically, mother — I’m sorry for not having been a good enough son. I fear greatly that you will not repent to Allah. And therefore, I hold hope in my heart that a piece of you believes so that you may be taken out to the hellfire. To [my brother] Travis. Of anyone I’ve known who I have felt is closest to faith — it’s you. Of anyone I’ve ever wanted to accept Islam with me — it’s you. Please repent to Allah and accept Islam. I fear for you. To Devon, there was a time when we were close, but that time has passed. You have joined the ranks of my enemy. And for that, I can give you no kind words – return to Allah.” Devon is reportedly a Marine officer.

Bickford hailed from Wells, Maine. He travelled to New York on an Amtrak prepare and reached the town on December 29. He was staying on the Bowery Mission. In his belongings, the police discovered tenting gear, a diary, the final will and a testomony.

As per The Post’s sources, he advised the police that he deliberate a violent assault on the uniformed officer or somebody armed as they had been “enemy of the state”. It is believed that his on-line exercise may need put him on the FBI’s watchlist.

In 2018, Bickford’s father died of an overdose. By that point, he was a daily boy. However, put up his father’s loss of life, Bickford apparently “found religion”. Around a month in the past, he grew to become radicalised. So far, the police haven’t discovered any prison historical past linked to Bickford.

Multiple incidents reported on New Year’s Eve

The machete assault was not the one incident that occurred on New Year’s Eve. Reports counsel that the gang was making an attempt to tear down the barricades, and the cops intervened to cease them. Later, at round 8:45 PM, a struggle broke out between the 2 males on West forty second Street and sixth Avenue. One of the boys was stabbed within the neck with scissors. In one other incident earlier the identical day, one other man was stabbed eight occasions on seventh Avenue and West fortieth Street.