New York authorities have charged the New Year’s Eve machete attacker, Trevor Bickford, with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer and two counts of assault, according to the New York Police Department.
Bickford, 19, allegedly attacked three police officers outside the Times Square New Year’s Eve event with an 18-inch machete, hitting two of them in the head.
Federal investigators charged Bickford Monday afternoon after the FBI and NYPD announced in a press conference that they were looking into Bickford’s online activity.
In the news: Former Florida Sheriff’s Cadet Arrested For Murder In Domestic Violence Incident
“I want to be clear the FBI and the terrorism task force is working very closely with the [NYPD] to determine the nature of this attack, and we will run every lead to the ground,” Mike Driscoll, FBI assistant director in charge, said during the press conference. “[A]s you heard the mayor and the commissioner state earlier, that there is no ongoing threat, we believe this was a sole individual at this time; there’s nothing to indicate otherwise.”
Bickford allegedly told police after his arrest that he had been planning to specifically attack police officers, according to CBS New York.
A diary reportedly belonging to Bickford detailed his turn toward radical Islam in recent months, writing his brother Devon, a Marine, had “joined the ranks of my enemy” and begged his family to “repent to Allah.”
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here. Signup for our free newsletter by clicking here.