Summary (tl;dr)

A man wielding a machete attacked three individuals at Grand Central Terminal, prompting police intervention that resulted in the suspect being fatally shot by officers.

Essential Background

Grand Central Terminal, a major transportation hub in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, sees millions of commuters and tourists daily. Public safety within the city's transit system has been an ongoing concern, with previous incidents of violence, including stabbings and slashings, occurring in recent years. In response to these concerns, authorities have increased police presence in the transit system.

The Full Story

On Saturday morning, April 11, 2026, a violent incident unfolded at Grand Central Terminal when 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, armed with a machete, launched an unprovoked attack on commuters. The attacks began around 9:40 a.m., with Griffin first slashing an 84-year-old man on the 7 train platform. He then moved to the 4, 5, 6 subway platform, where he attacked a 65-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman.

Police officers, alerted to the ongoing assaults, confronted Griffin on the platform. According to authorities, Griffin was behaving erratically, repeatedly claiming to be "Lucifer," and ignored numerous commands (at least 20) to drop his weapon. When he advanced toward the officers with the machete extended, one officer discharged their firearm, striking him twice.

Griffin was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The three victims sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, including lacerations to the head and face, and one victim suffered an open skull fracture; they were all hospitalized and are in stable condition. No police officers were injured during the confrontation. The NYPD has stated that the entire incident was captured on body-worn cameras and that there is no indication of a link to terrorism. As a result of the investigation, subway service through Grand Central was temporarily disrupted.

Why It Matters

This violent episode at a major New York City transit hub underscores persistent public safety concerns within the metropolitan transportation system. The incident has drawn attention to the swift and decisive actions taken by law enforcement to neutralize a dangerous threat, which authorities credit with preventing further harm to commuters. The event will likely fuel ongoing discussions among the public and policymakers regarding transit security measures, the management of individuals exhibiting erratic behavior in public spaces, and police response protocols in high-stakes situations.

Geographic Location

• Grand Central Terminal (7 train platform, 4, 5, 6 subway platform), New York City, New York County, New York, United States (machete attack and fatal police shooting of suspect)
• Bellevue Hospital, New York City, New York County, New York, United States (suspect pronounced deceased; victims hospitalized)