Teen’s pampering in New York could end in a life sentence
2023.01.11 05:01
Teen’s pampering in New York could end in a life sentence
By Ray Johnson
Budrigannews.com – On Tuesday, a 19-year-old man was charged in federal court with attempted murder for allegedly attacking three New York City police officers on New Year’s Eve with a machete near Times Square, a crime that investigators have linked to Islamic extremism.
State court already has similar charges against the suspect, Trevor Bickford. It was unclear at the time which case would proceed first.
In announcing the charges, U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland stated, “We allege that the defendant plotted a jihad-inspired attack targeting U.S. government officials, and on December 31, 2022, attacked three NYPD officers who were part of the joint federal-state law enforcement operation protecting the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration.”
Reuters attempted to get in touch with the Legal Aid Society’s attorneys on Tuesday evening for a response.
Before attacking three police officers with a machete just before midnight on December 31 outside of a secure area set up for New Year’s Eve celebrations, the 19-year-old man, according to the prosecution, had considered traveling to Afghanistan to join the Taliban.
Bickford was taken into custody after being shot in the shoulder by police gunfire and surviving all three officers.
According to the reports, Bickford was questioned by FBI agents in December after his mother expressed concern that her son might become radicalized. He was added to a federal watch list by the agents to prevent him from going overseas.
More Terrorist attack at train station in Paris-6 injured
