NEW YORK, NY — The New York City Police Department has released harrowing body-worn camera footage capturing the moment officers confronted and fatally shot a man wielding a machete in one of the city’s busiest transit hubs.
The incident, which occurred last month at the 42nd Street-Grand Central subway station, left three commuters injured and has reignited conversations regarding mental health and safety within the MTA system.
“Shoot Me, I Am Lucifer”
The video, uploaded to the NYPD’s official YouTube channel on Friday, provides a first-person perspective of the standoff between officers and 44-year-old Anthony Griffin.
Uniformed detectives Ryan Giuffre and Anthony Manetta are seen encountering Griffin as he ascends a stairwell around 9:40 a.m. on April 11. Griffin is clearly visible holding a large, raised blade near his head.
Despite repeated orders to drop the weapon, the footage shows Griffin shouting erratic statements. At one point, he tells the officers, “I don’t want to be here. Shoot me,” before later declaring, “I am Lucifer.”
Desperate Attempts to De-escalate
The footage highlights the high-tension environment as Detective Giuffre attempted to talk Griffin down while his service weapon was drawn.
“Nobody wants to hurt you,” Giuffre is heard pleading in the video. “We can talk about it. Get down… Dude, I’m not going to ask you again. Please. Please. Please. Get down!”
According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, officers issued at least 20 commands for Griffin to drop the machete. However, when Griffin began moving erratically toward the detectives with the blade still raised, Giuffre fired two shots. Griffin was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The Victims: Random Attacks on the Elderly
Before the police arrived, Griffin had allegedly carried out a series of random attacks on the subway platform. The victims included:
- An 84-year-old male
- A 65-year-old male
- A 70-year-old female
The victims suffered “significant lacerations” to their faces and heads, and one victim sustained a skull fracture. While the injuries were severe, officials confirmed they were not life-threatening.
Police Defend “Decisive Action”
Commissioner Tisch stood by the officers’ actions, emphasizing that they were protecting thousands of commuters during the morning rush.
“Our officers were confronted with an armed individual who had already injured multiple people and was continuing to pose a threat,” Tisch stated. “They attempted to de-escalate. And when that threat did not stop, they took decisive action to protect New Yorkers.”
Community Feedback: Is the Subway Safe?
This footage release comes as city officials continue to grapple with rising concerns over random violence in the subway system.
We want to hear from you, New York:
- Do you feel the officers handled the de-escalation properly based on the footage?
- Does seeing this video make you feel more or less safe while riding the MTA?
- What more should be done to prevent individuals with weapons from entering major hubs like Grand Central?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s discuss the state of our city’s transit safety.
