NY officers are injured after suspect is shot at near New Year’s Eve celebration

NEW YORK (AP) — A man wielding a machete attacked three police officers at the New Year’s Eve celebration in New York City, authorities said, striking two of them in the head before an officer shot the man in the shoulder.

The attack occurred just after 10 p.m., eight blocks away from Times Square. It was also outside the high-security zone that screens revelers for weapons.

Both officers had to be admitted, one with a broken skull and the other with bad cuts. They are expected to make a full recovery.

The suspect, aged 19, was not identified by police immediately. He was also expected to recover.

A gunshot sound and an attack briefly sent some people running. However, the celebrations in Times Square continued unaffected.

Eric Adams, the Mayor of Toronto, said that he had spoken at a news conference to one wounded officer as he was being stitched up in the hospital.

“He was in good spirits,” Adams said. “He understood that his role saved lives of New Yorkers today.”

An investigation was underway to pinpoint a motive for the attack, but authorities said they didn’t believe there was any ongoing threat to the public.

Michael Driscoll, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office, said they believe the attacker acted alone.

The NYPD mounts a massive security operation every year to keep the New Year’s Eve crowd safe. There are thousands of officers in the area, with many new recruits to this force.

According to the mayor, one of the officers who were injured only graduated from police academy on Friday.

Checkpoints that use metal-detecting wads to check for weapons can only access blocks where large crowds are gathered to view performances or the midnight ball drop. Coolers and large bags are not allowed. In the secured area, barriers are put up to stop vehicle attacks.

However, the security perimeter is limited in its reach. 8th Avenue was the scene of the attack. It is often crowded with people trying to navigate the frozen zone or find secure entrances.