NEW YORK (AP) - The New York City police department has made public body-worn camera footage showing the tragic outcome of an encounter in which officers shot and killed a man wielding a machete. The incident occurred on April 11, 2023, at the 42nd Street-Grand Central subway station, a pivotal hub that connects to Grand Central Terminal. The man, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, had previously stabbed three individuals at the subway stop.
The video, which was uploaded to the department’s YouTube page on Friday, depicts the officers, named Ryan Giuffre and Anthony Manetta, confronting Griffin as he was seen approaching up a stairwell while holding a large knife. This encounter took place at approximately 9:40 a.m., moments after Griffin had launched an unprovoked attack on the three victims.
In the footage, the uniformed officers repeatedly command Griffin to drop the weapon. Despite their clear instructions, Griffin held the knife above his head. As he continues to move erratically, he retreats down the stairs but then advances towards the officers, knife still raised. Throughout this tense interaction, Detective Giuffre attempts to de-escalate the situation by telling Griffin, “Nobody wants to hurt you. We can talk about it. Get down. Get down.” He emphasizes the urgency by repeating, “Please. Please. Please. Get down!”
However, Griffin's erratic behavior escalated the situation as he shouted phrases such as “I don’t want to be here. Shoot me” and referred to himself as “Lucifer.” Faced with Griffin’s threat, Giuffre ultimately fired two shots, resulting in Griffin collapsing to the ground. Following the shooting, Griffin was transported to a hospital but was later pronounced dead.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the incident, asserting that the officers had ordered Griffin to drop the knife at least 20 times without any positive response. Tisch stated, “Our officers were confronted with an armed individual who had already injured multiple people and was continuing to pose a threat.” She underscored the officers’ efforts to de-escalate the matter, concluding that their decision to use lethal force was necessary to protect the public in a crowded area.
The three victims of Griffin’s stabbing included an 84-year-old male, a 65-year-old male, and a 70-year-old female. They sustained serious injuries, which included “significant lacerations to the head and face” along with a skull fracture. Fortunately, their injuries were not life-threatening, according to Commissioner Tisch.
This incident has once again raised discussions about public safety and the use of force by police in critical situations, especially in high-trafficked areas such as New York's Grand Central subway station. As investigations continue, this case serves as a grim reminder of the complexities involved in responding to armed suspects in public settings.
