The individual who assaulted three police officers in New York City with a machete on New Year’s Eve in 2022 has formally pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder and assault.
This announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York on Thursday.
Trevor Bickford, aged 20, entered a guilty plea on Thursday, acknowledging three counts of attempted murder of officers and employees of the US government, as well as three counts of assault of officers and employees of the US government, as stated by Nick Biase, the spokesperson for the US Attorney’s Office.
- California RESIDENTS To RECEIVE $500 MONTHLY PAYMENTS In New Guaranteed Income Program: Here Is Who Is Eligible
- Us Job Market Booms With 272,000 New Jobs, But Unemployment Rises Slightly To 4.0%
- Credit Scores Of 720+ See Improved Loan Rates This Week
- Examining The Facts: Fact Check On IRS $8700 Stimulus Check Eligibility & Payment Dates
- Gas Prices On Downward Trend As Fourth Of July Road Trips Approach: AAA
The office filed charges against Trevor Bickford for attempting to commit murder against three NYPD officers while they were on duty, safeguarding the numerous civilians gathered in Times Square just over a year ago to commemorate the New Year with friends and family.
Times Square Machete Chaos: Bickford’s Security Breach
On December 31, 2022, Bickford breached the security perimeter of the Times Square checkpoint, brandishing a machete.
He assaulted an officer with the blade and struck another officer in the head with the handle, as reported by authorities.
Subsequently, he swung the machete at a third officer, prompting the latter to shoot him in the shoulder, according to police accounts.
Bickford later confessed that he carried out the attack with the intention of waging jihad.
He openly admitted his aim to kill as many military-aged, government-employed men as possible before becoming a martyr.
These details were outlined in the US attorney’s office news release, citing the complaint, indictment, and other publicly available documents.
The release highlighted that in the months leading up to the assault, Bickford immersed himself in materials promoting radical Islamic ideology and contemplated strategies for jihad.
The news release further disclosed the recovery of a book from Bickford’s backpack at the scene of the New Year’s Eve attack, with a highlighted passage advocating for fighting in the name of Allah and waging a holy war against those who do not believe in Allah.
Prosecutors have indicated that Bickford could face a maximum sentence of 120 years in prison, with each of the six charges carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years.
His sentencing is scheduled for April 11.