NEW YORK (TCN) — A man who allegedly attacked three people with a machete at a subway station was shot by police after not complying with orders to drop his weapon, authorities say.
NBC New York reports that on the morning of April 11, police responded to the Grand Central subway station, where witnesses say a man exited a train and attacked three people with a machete on two different platforms. The victims were 84, 70, and 65 years old, and all were taken to hospitals for treatment. The names of the victims have not been released by police.
Officers responding to the report of an assault in progress encountered 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, who was allegedly still holding the knife. Griffin allegedly advanced toward them and ignored their commands to drop the weapon. He was then fatally shot by an officer.
People reports that according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Brown was reportedly behaving erratically while on the train, which he boarded in Queens. Tisch said that Brown was “repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer.”
Tisch went on to say that Brown allegedly “refused to comply with at least 20 orders to drop the knife, People reports. Officers also attempted to de-escalate and offer assistance. “He then advanced toward the officers with the knife extended. One officer discharged his firearm, striking the perpetrator twice.”
The New York Post reports that according to Deborah Brown, the mother of Griffin’s partner, he carried the machete for protection. Brown said she refused to believe he attacked anyone and wanted to see proof. She acknowledged that he had mental health issues but said, “You could have Tased him, made him drop the weapon. You don’t have to shoot and kill him.”
According to Tisch, Brown had previously been arrested three times.
The investigation is ongoing.
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