The man who allegedly assaulted three NYPD officers with a machete in a New Year’s Eve attack has been arraigned on several charges, including terrorism, prosecutors said Friday.
Trevor Bickford, 19, of Wells, Maine was charged with three counts of attempted murder in the first-degree in furtherance of an act of terrorism, one count of aggravated assault on a police officer as a crime of terrorism, two counts of attempted assault in the first-degree as a crime of terrorism and two counts of attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer as a crime of terrorism.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office filed a Certificate of Affirmative Grand Jury Action, which indicates that Bickford has been indicted.
His Supreme Court arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 1.
“We are grateful for our NYPD officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, as well as our Joint Terrorism Task Force partners,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. “All eyes are on Times Square on New Year’s Eve and these charges reflect the seriousness of this alleged threat to the safety of our city and our officers.”
Bickford was initially charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of second-degree assault, one count of first-degree assault and two counts of first-degree attempted assault at his arraignment on Wednesday.
Three NYPD officers were hospitalized after he attacked them with a machete at the corner of West 52nd Street and Eighth Avenue on New Year’s Eve.
The attack was motivated by Islamic extremism, sources said.
Sources added that Bickford had been on law enforcement officials’ radar since mid-December, when his family reported his alleged radicalization.
He had a journal containing entries that made reference to the Muslim community, as well as his plan to die during the attack, the sources said.
According to law enforcement sources, Bickford was on the FBI’s watch list. Those sources mentioned his family reported that he had expressed an interest in joining the Taliban.