NEW YORK — A person accused of attacking police with a machete close to New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve was arrested on prices of trying to homicide law enforcement officials, authorities stated Monday as they continued to research whether or not he was motivated by Islamic extremism.
Trevor Bickford, 19, additionally faces tried assault prices from the assault that injured two officers on the fringe of the high-security zone the place throngs of latest 12 months’s revelers have been gathered, the New York Police Department stated in a information launch.
Bickford, who lives in Wells, Maine, remained hospitalized Monday with a gunshot wound to the shoulder from police hearth through the confrontation. He was awaiting arraignment, and it wasn’t instantly clear if he had a lawyer who might converse to the allegations. The Associated Press left messages for his family.
A legislation enforcement official conversant in the matter stated that investigators imagine Bickford traveled to New York City earlier within the week. They are analyzing whether or not he made the journey particularly to assault police on the Times Square festivities, the official stated.
New York City police and federal officers are nonetheless making an attempt to establish a motive, and investigators are reviewing Bickford’s on-line postings, which included some mentions of Islamic extremist views, the official stated. The official couldn’t publicly talk about particulars concerning the ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on situation of anonymity.
Michael Driscoll, the assistant director in command of the FBI’s New York subject workplace, stated Sunday that investigators imagine the attacker acted alone.
FBI spokespeople in New York and Boston declined to debate the continued inquiry Monday. Boston subject workplace spokesperson Kristen Setera referred to as it a “very active investigation.”
FBI brokers have been seen Sunday evening getting into Bickford’s household residence in Wells, a well-liked seaside vacation spot near the New Hampshire border. Bickford competed in sports activities in highschool, was a part of Maine’s state champion wrestling crew in 2020 and made the glory roll for his research at the very least one 12 months.
The principal at Wells High School declined to touch upon Monday. Messages in search of remark have been despatched to the wrestling coach.
Bickford’s father died unexpectedly in 2018, in keeping with a web based obituary.
The machete assault occurred about two hours earlier than midnight on Saturday, simply outdoors the world the place individuals are screened for weapons earlier than gaining entry to one of many world’s greatest and most well-known New Year’s celebrations.
Two of the officers have been struck with the machete earlier than an officer shot the suspect, authorities stated. One officer suffered a fractured cranium and the opposite has a nasty reduce. Both have been anticipated to recuperate, as was the suspect.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”