A Maine teenager has been accused of a potential terrorist assault after placing three New York Metropolis Police Officers with a machete on New Yr’s Eve.
Trevor Bickford, 19, allegedly struck two of the officers within the head with the big knife. One officer suffered a laceration, and the opposite suffered a damaged cranium. All three officers had been dropped at a hospital and are anticipated to get well.
The assault occurred round 10 p.m. on Friday, simply blocks from the town’s Occasions Sq. ball drop space. Bickford was shot and wounded within the shoulder through the assault and transported to a hospital. He has not but been formally charged.
Police sources instructed the New York Put up that Bickford has been staying on the Bowery Mission. A search of his room turned up a sheath for the machete, knives, and spiritual materials. It’s believed that the teenager turned to faith following the overdose dying of his father in 2018.
Sources say that Bickford grew to become “radicalized” lately, and a handwritten manifesto was present in his backpack. He addressed his household within the observe, asking them to show to Islam.
“To my household — particularly, mom — I’m sorry for not having been a ok son,” a police supply instructed the outlet,” he wrote, in line with a police supply.
“I concern enormously that you’ll not repent to Allah,” the observe learn. “And due to this fact I maintain hope in my coronary heart {that a} piece of you believes so that you could be be taken out to the hellfire.
Along with his mom, he immediately addressed each of his brothers.
“To [my brother] Travis. Of anybody I’ve identified who I’ve felt is closest to religion — it’s you,” he allegedly wrote. “Of anybody I’ve ever wished to just accept Islam with me — it’s you. Please repent to Allah and settle for Islam. I concern for you.
He was near his different brother, Devon, who’s reportedly a Marine. Bickford referred to him as having joined his “enemy.”
“To Devon, there was a time after we had been shut, however that point has handed. You’ve got joined the ranks of my enemy. And for that I can provide you no form phrases – return to Allah.”
The assault is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism due to the weapon used and on-line postings Bickford made. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Job Pressure is aiding the NYPD within the investigation.
We’re studying a bit extra in regards to the 19-year-old suspect Trevor Bickford. He attended Wells Excessive College. He was a part of a state champion wrestling workforce in 2020 and was additionally acknowledged the identical yr as a part of a scholastic artwork competitors @WMTWTV Pictures: Wells Ogunquit CSD pic.twitter.com/gPmFD9xkkE
— Terry Stackhouse (@TStackhouseWMTW) January 1, 2023
