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Trevor Bickford, a Maine resident, Sentenced to 27 Years for Machete Attack on NYPD Officers in Times Square
On December 31, 2022, Trevor Bickford carried out a brazen machete attack on three New York City Police Department officers in Times Square, seriously injuring all three. The attack was a premeditated act of terrorism, inspired by radical Islamic extremism.
Bickford, a U.S. citizen, traveled from Maine to New York City with the intention of ‘waging jihad’ and killing as many of his targets as possible. He targeted one of the most densely populated areas in the U.S. at one of the most densely populated times possible: Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
During the attack, Bickford declared ‘Allahu Akbar,’ an Arabic phrase meaning ‘God is great,’ and swung his blade at the heads of the NYPD officers. He also attempted to grab one of the officers’ guns.
Thankfully, one officer’s quick-thinking actions stopped the attack while minimizing risk to innocent bystanders who easily might have become additional victims of Bickford’s heinous violence.
On January 11, 2024, Bickford pled guilty to the charges before U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel, who imposed the sentence of 27 years in prison.
The sentencing is a result of the joint efforts of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York and the NYPD. The FBI and NYPD remain determined to bring to justice anyone attempting to commit violence in the name of terrorism to ensure the safety of New York City.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, ‘Inspired by radical Islamic extremism, Trevor Bickford brutally attacked three NYPD officers who were just doing their jobs by protecting the public during the Times Square New Year’s Eve festivities.’
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said, ‘Today’s sentence holds Trevor Bickford accountable for his premeditated 2022 terrorist attack in Times Square during which he attempted to kill three NYPD officers in a violent rampage.’
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said, ‘The defendant’s brutal ambush of three New York City police officers keeping watch over New Year’s Eve celebrations was a premeditated act of terrorism.’
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said, ‘Today, Trevor Bickford was handed a deserved punishment for intentionally committing an act of terrorism against New York City and police officers sworn to protect it.’
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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