A Maine teenager has been accused of a possible terrorist attack after striking three New York City Police Officers with a machete on New Year’s Eve.
Trevor Bickford, 19, allegedly struck two of the officers in the head with the large knife. One officer suffered a laceration, and the other suffered a broken skull. All three officers were brought to a hospital and are expected to recover.
The attack happened around 10 p.m. on Friday, just blocks from the city’s Times Square ball drop area. Bickford was shot and wounded in the shoulder during the assault and transported to a hospital. He has not yet been formally charged.
Police sources told the New York Post that Bickford has been staying at the Bowery Mission. A search of his room turned up a sheath for the machete, knives, and religious material. It’s believed that the teen turned to religion following the overdose death of his father in 2018.
Sources say that Bickford became “radicalized” recently, and a handwritten manifesto was found in his backpack. He addressed his family in the note, asking them to turn to Islam.
“To my family — specifically, mother — I’m sorry for not having been a good enough son,” a police source told the outlet,” he wrote, according to a police source.
“I fear greatly that you will not repent to Allah,” the note read. “And therefore I hold hope in my heart that a piece of you believes so that you may be taken out to the hellfire.
In addition to his mother, he directly addressed both of his brothers.
“To [my brother] Travis. Of anyone I’ve known who I have felt is closest to faith — it’s you,” he allegedly wrote. “Of anyone I’ve ever wanted to accept Islam with me — it’s you. Please repent to Allah and accept Islam. I fear for you.
He used to be close to his other brother, Devon, who is reportedly a Marine. Bickford referred to him as having joined his “enemy.”
“To Devon, there was a time when we were close, but that time has passed. You have joined the ranks of my enemy. And for that I can give you no kind words – return to Allah.”
The attack is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism because of the weapon used and online postings Bickford made. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is assisting the NYPD in the investigation.
We're learning a bit more about the 19-year-old suspect Trevor Bickford. He attended Wells High School. He was part of a state champion wrestling team in 2020 and was also recognized the same year as part of a scholastic art competition @WMTWTV Photos: Wells Ogunquit CSD pic.twitter.com/gPmFD9xkkE
— Terry Stackhouse (@TStackhouseWMTW) January 1, 2023
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