A man attacked NYPD officers during New Years celebrations outside a Times Square security screening zone on Saturday night, in what is being investigated as the country’s first terror attack of 2023.

Trevor Bickford, a 19-year-old resident of Maine, approached officers at W. 52nd Street and 8th Avenue and began swinging at them with a machete, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said in a press conference.

The attack left two officers injured – an 8-year veteran suffered a head laceration, and a recent police academy graduate had his skull fractured. Both NYPD officers were taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment; they are expected to recover from their injuries.

Bickford was struck in the shoulder by officers who opened fire on him before taking the attacker into custody.

Law enforcement officials say that Bickford had no previous arrest history, but was known to them because of radical jihadist-style writings he posted online. They are now investigating whether he traveled to New York City with the explicit intent to carry out an attack on NYPD officers or New Year celebrations.

Mike Driscoll of the New York FBI Field Office noted that the agency believes Bickford acted alone and is not part of a larger cell with plans to carry out attacks.

“Detectives and fellow cops face grave danger every day, and #NewYearsEve is no different. They’re courageously fighting violence across the city — including the NYPD officers who were assaulted tonight and fortunately recovering,” the Detectives’ Endowment Association said in a statement.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)