A terrifying scene unfolded Saturday morning inside New York City’s Grand Central Terminal when a machete-wielding suspect who repeatedly identified himself as “Lucifer” carried out a random slashing attack on three elderly subway passengers. The assailant, 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, was fatally shot by responding NYPD officers after ignoring more than 20 commands to drop his weapon.

The violence erupted shortly after 9:40 a.m. Griffin had boarded a Manhattan-bound 7 train at Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue in Queens earlier that morning. Upon reaching Grand Central, he began acting erratically on the 42nd Street 7 train platform. There, he first attacked an 84-year-old man, inflicting deep lacerations to the victim’s head and face.

Moments later, Griffin moved upstairs to the 4/5/6 train platform, where he continued his assault. He slashed a 65-year-old man, causing serious head injuries including an open skull fracture, and then struck a 70-year-old woman in the shoulder. All three victims were ordinary New Yorkers going about their Saturday routines when the nightmare began.

Two transit officers quickly responded to frantic reports of the attack. When they confronted Griffin, he was still armed with a large machete-style knife and continued his erratic behavior while loudly declaring himself to be “Lucifer.” According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, officers issued at least 20 verbal commands for him to drop the weapon and attempted de-escalation. Griffin refused to comply and advanced toward the officers, prompting one to discharge their firearm. He was struck and later pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured.

The three victims were transported to Bellevue Hospital, where they received urgent treatment for their injuries. While exact updates on their conditions have not been released, the attacks were described as serious, particularly the head trauma suffered by the two male victims. The rapid police response is credited with preventing further casualties in one of the city’s busiest transit hubs.

Commissioner Tisch addressed the media at the scene, confirming the suspect’s behavior and the sequence of events. “The individual was armed with a large knife, described as a machete, and was behaving erratically, repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer,” she said. The incident caused temporary service disruptions on multiple lines as police secured the area and investigators gathered evidence, including the recovered machete.

Grand Central Terminal, a landmark that sees hundreds of thousands of daily commuters and tourists, felt especially vulnerable after the attack. The station’s iconic halls and platforms, normally filled with energy and movement, became a crime scene as weekend travelers were rerouted or delayed. Many New Yorkers expressed shock that such random violence could erupt in a heavily monitored public space.

Anthony Griffin’s background remains under investigation. Authorities have not indicated any terrorism link, and the attack appears to be the act of an individual in crisis. The case has reignited urgent conversations about mental health intervention, subway safety, and the challenges of responding to armed, erratic individuals in crowded environments. Advocates are calling for better coordination between law enforcement, mental health services, and transit authorities to identify threats before they escalate.

Eyewitnesses described panic on the platforms as commuters fled and officers moved in to neutralize the threat. The speed and professionalism of the response likely limited the scale of the tragedy, though the three elderly victims now face painful physical recoveries and lasting psychological effects from the unprovoked assault.

In the hours following the incident, messages of support for the victims flooded social media. Many highlighted the vulnerability of older New Yorkers who rely on public transit for daily needs. “These were just innocent seniors trying to get where they needed to go,” one commenter wrote. Others praised the officers for their quick action while stressing the need for systemic improvements to prevent similar attacks.

The NYPD has launched a full investigation, reviewing body camera footage and other evidence as standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. Transit officials announced increased patrols at Grand Central and other major stations in the immediate aftermath to reassure riders.

This machete attack adds to a string of high-profile incidents that have eroded public confidence in the safety of New York’s subway system. Riders, especially seniors and tourists, have voiced growing concerns about personal security even in well-patrolled areas like Grand Central. City leaders, including Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, have acknowledged the fear and pledged continued efforts to enhance safety measures.

For the victims and their families, the focus is on healing. The 84-year-old man’s facial and head wounds, the 65-year-old’s skull fracture, and the 70-year-old woman’s shoulder injury will require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Community support networks and strangers moved by the story have begun offering prayers, donations, and well-wishes.

Grand Central’s symbolic importance as the “crossroads of the world” makes the attack feel particularly invasive. Millions pass through its Beaux-Arts halls and underground platforms each year, trusting the system to deliver them safely. Saturday’s events serve as a sobering reminder that even iconic locations are not immune to sudden violence.

As investigators piece together Griffin’s movements, possible motive, and any prior interactions with authorities or mental health services, the city grapples with the broader implications. The “Lucifer” declarations and erratic behavior suggest a mental health component, prompting renewed calls for proactive outreach programs.

While the attacker was stopped before more harm could occur, the three elderly victims now carry the physical and emotional scars of that chaotic morning. Their courage in simply being out in the city that day, combined with the officers’ decisive response, underscores both the fragility and resilience of urban life.

The machete rampage at Grand Central Terminal, carried out by a man who proclaimed himself to be Lucifer, has left New York shaken. Yet in the face of horror, the swift actions of transit officers and the outpouring of community support show the city’s determination to protect its people and reclaim safety in its public spaces.