On a bustling Saturday morning at Grand Central Terminal, one of New York City’s busiest transit hubs, chaos erupted as a machete-wielding man unleashed a violent rampage that left three people injured and ultimately led to his own fatal shooting by police. The incident, which occurred around 9:40 a.m. on April 11, 2026, has reignited concerns about subway safety in a city already on edge from a series of recent attacks.
The suspect, identified by police as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, began his spree after boarding a 7 train at Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue in Queens. According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Griffin arrived at Grand Central Terminal and immediately targeted straphangers on the No. 7 train platform. His first victim, an 84-year-old man, suffered a severe head laceration. Griffin then moved to the uptown platform serving the 4, 5, and 6 trains, where he slashed a 65-year-old man in the head, resulting in an open skull fracture, and cut a 70-year-old woman’s shoulder, leaving her bloodied and shaken.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic as commuters scrambled to alert police stationed nearby. Two NYPD detectives, working an overtime transit detail, encountered one of the wounded victims ascending the steps. As they responded, they confronted Griffin, who was behaving erratically and brandishing what police described as a large knife or machete. According to Tisch, Griffin repeatedly declared, “I am Lucifer,” and refused to comply with at least 20 separate commands to drop his weapon. Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, assuring him, “We are going to get you help,” but Griffin advanced toward them with the blade extended, forcing one detective to fire two shots.
Immediately after the shooting, officers performed CPR on Griffin at the scene. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that morning. The three victims—two men aged 84 and 65, and a 70-year-old woman—were also rushed to Bellevue. Despite the severity of their injuries, all are expected to survive, with authorities confirming their conditions as stable by Saturday afternoon. The 65-year-old man’s open skull fracture and the woman’s shoulder laceration were among the most serious wounds reported.
The aftermath of the attack left Grand Central’s platforms stained with blood and scattered debris, as investigators combed the scene for evidence. The weapon used in the assault was recovered, and police quickly ruled out any connection to terrorism. The NYPD advised the public to avoid the area around Grand Central, warning of delays and heavy traffic as 4, 5, and 6 trains bypassed the station and 5 trains ran with significant delays due to the ongoing investigation, according to the MTA.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded swiftly on social media, expressing gratitude for the NYPD’s “quick response and for preventing additional violence.” He reassured the public that “the three victims were taken to the hospital and are thankfully in stable condition,” and noted that “the NYPD is conducting an internal investigation and will release body-worn camera footage, as it does in all incidents involving the discharge of an officer’s firearm.”
Governor Kathy Hochul also weighed in, saying, “I’ve been briefed on the horrific incident at Grand Central this morning. Two innocent people were attacked in a senseless act of violence. I’m grateful to our brave officers who acted quickly to stop the suspect. We’re working closely with the NYPD as the investigation unfolds. New Yorkers deserve to feel safe every time they step onto a train platform, and we will do everything it takes to protect them.”
Police Commissioner Tisch addressed the broader context of the attack, noting that “random acts of violence scare everyone. Anyone can be a victim of a random act of violence, and that is why it is so important for New Yorkers to understand that the NYPD has recently upped our presence in the transit system, including right here in Grand Central station.” She emphasized the reality of danger officers face daily, stating, “They gave clear commands, they attempted to de-escalate, and when that threat did not stop, they took decisive action to stop it and to protect New Yorkers on one of the busiest train platforms in the city.”
As the investigation continues, more details have emerged about Griffin’s troubled past. According to law enforcement sources cited by CNN and other outlets, Griffin was no stranger to police. He had more than a dozen prior arrests, including for grand larceny, criminal trespass, menacing, and felony assault with a weapon. Notably, he had been arrested in 2019 for slashing at people with a sharp object. Despite his extensive record, police said there was no indication of a connection to organized terror or extremist groups.
This latest incident comes amid heightened anxiety about subway safety in New York City. In recent years, the city has seen a string of disturbing attacks on its transit system, including a man pushed onto subway tracks in Chelsea in January 2025 and a fatal arson attack on a Brooklyn subway train in December 2024. Still, Governor Hochul announced in December that subway crime had reached its lowest level in 16 years, with major crime down 5.2% from 2024 and 14.4% from 2019. In response to ongoing concerns, more than 175 additional officers were recently deployed to subway patrols, according to Commissioner Tisch.
For many New Yorkers, the events at Grand Central on April 11 were a grim reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can arise in public spaces—even in the heart of the city. The swift and decisive action by NYPD officers, coupled with ongoing efforts to bolster transit security, underscored both the challenges and the resolve of those tasked with keeping the city safe. As the NYPD’s internal investigation proceeds and body-worn camera footage is reviewed, city officials are urging the public to remain vigilant but also to recognize the progress made in reducing crime across the transit system.
As commuters return to Grand Central in the days ahead, the scars of Saturday’s violence will linger—but so too will the city’s determination to protect its own, no matter the threats that arise.