Man armed with meat cleaver attacks US police officer near busy New York transport hub
NYPD officers hunted for a suspect armed with a meat cleaver at one of Manhattan's busiest transport hubs today.
Police appear to apprehend the suspect
A police operation was in full swing after a man with a meat cleaver was spotted in the city's Penn Station which operates the New Jersey transit system and the subway.
The station which is next door to Madison Square Garden was involved in a massive security operation.
Cops are said to have opened fire and shot a man outside Penn Station after he attacked an officer with a cleaver, according to NBC.
The suspect was shot multiple times, with one of the bullets grazing another police officer.
Witnesses say around eight or nine shots were fired during the altercation.
New York's Penn Station is currently experiencing a security alert
The two injured officers were taken to Bellevue hospital, which is around a 15 minute drive from the crime scene.
It is believed an off-duty police officer got into an altercation with the attacker shortly before he was struck with the knife.
Witnesses described the suspected attacker as an “emotionally disturbed person”. He too was taken to the Bellevue hospital.
The shooting happened around 5pm at West 32nd Street and Seventh Avenue.
According to eyewitnesses there are six police helicopters flying overhead amid the incident.
.@DigiAldona on #Periscope: Shooting in NYC Penn Station https://t.co/UihkK5KNlG
— GarryAkAMoofie/Gawwy (@GarryAkAMoofie) September 15, 2016
There are, by my count, six helicopters over midtown amid reports of police activity at Penn Station. pic.twitter.com/dViBqshoki
— Brian Ries (@moneyries) September 15, 2016
According to local reports the NYPD officer is said to have suffered a head injury.
The man involved in the incident was taken to a hospital in critical condition, sources said.
A large police presence was visible in the area just as rush hour began.
Thousands of pedestrians were seen on the pavements while police attend to the scene.
The crime scene remains cordoned off.
The suspect or injured officers have not yet been identified.