A man has been shot and killed by New York City police after stabbing three people at Grand Central subway station.
Anthony Griffin, 44, launched the knife attack with a machete on Saturday morning before officers fatally shot him, authorities have confirmed.
The attack at the busy transit hub in midtown Manhattan took place at approximately 9.40am local time.
Police responding to emergency calls discovered the suspect had already assaulted multiple victims on the station platform before officers arrived at the scene.
Griffin was transported to Bellevue Hospital following the shooting but was later pronounced dead, New York City's police commissioner said.
The three victims comprised an 84-year-old man, a 65-year-old man, and a 70-year-old woman, all of whom were taken to hospital following the assault.
The eldest victim suffered severe cuts to his head, whilst the 65-year-old sustained similar facial lacerations along with an open skull fracture.
The female victim received a slash wound to her shoulder.
New York Police Department released an image of the machete used in the attack
|NYPD/CRIMESTOPPERS
All three were reported to be in stable condition at hospital, with authorities stating their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Police indicated the initial attack occurred on the platform serving the number 7 train, before Griffin moved upstairs to the platform for the 4, 5 and 6 subway lines where he assaulted the remaining two victims.
Officers who arrived at the scene were confronted with Griffin displaying erratic behaviour whilst wielding the machete, police commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters at a news conference.
Despite being instructed at least 20 times to drop his weapon, Griffin refused to comply and repeatedly declared he was "Lucifer", according to police.
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Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters thatoOfficers arrived at the scene to find Griffin displaying erratic behaviour while wielding the machete
|REUTERS
Officers attempted to calm the situation, telling the suspect "we are going to get you help", Commissioner Tisch said.
However, when Griffin advanced towards them with the weapon still in hand, one officer discharged their firearm twice.
"Our officers were confronted with an armed individual who had already injured multiple people and was continuing to pose a threat," Tisch said.
"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."
Emergency medical assistance was immediately administered following the shooting.
Surveillance footage showed Griffin had boarded the subway network from Queens earlier on Saturday morning before carrying out the attacks, according to police.
The suspect had been arrested on three previous occasions but had no history of reports filed for emotionally disturbed individuals, Commissioner Tisch revealed.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed gratitude to police for their swift intervention.
"I'm grateful to the NYPD for their quick response and for preventing additional violence," he stated on social media.
The entire confrontation was recorded on officers' body-worn cameras, police said.
The department confirmed the footage would be made public, in line with standard protocol for all incidents where officers discharge their firearms.
An internal investigation into the shooting has been launched.