Terror struck the heart of Manhattan on Saturday morning when a machete-wielding man who repeatedly declared himself “Lucifer” launched a random and brutal attack on three elderly subway riders at Grand Central Terminal, one of New York City’s busiest transit hubs. The assailant, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, was ultimately shot and killed by police after ignoring repeated commands to drop his weapon.

The incident unfolded around 9:40 a.m. on the 42nd Street subway platform inside Grand Central Terminal. According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Griffin had boarded a Manhattan-bound 7 train at Vernon Boulevard in Queens earlier that morning. Upon arriving at Grand Central, he began behaving erratically and shouting that he was “Lucifer.”

First, on the 7 train platform, Griffin slashed an 84-year-old man, inflicting significant lacerations to the victim’s head and face. He then moved upstairs to the 4/5/6 platform, where he continued his rampage, attacking a 65-year-old man who suffered similar head injuries plus an open skull fracture, and a 70-year-old woman who was slashed in the shoulder. All three victims were elderly straphangers going about their day when the unprovoked violence erupted.

Two transit officers in the vicinity quickly responded to reports of the attack. When they confronted Griffin, he was still armed with a large knife described as a machete and continued to act erratically while repeating his claims of being “Lucifer.” Police issued at least 20 verbal commands for him to drop the weapon, but he refused to comply. Faced with an immediate threat, an officer discharged their firearm, fatally shooting Griffin. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The three victims were rushed to Bellevue Hospital for treatment. While their exact conditions have not been fully detailed beyond the initial injuries, all are receiving medical care following the traumatic event. The attack temporarily disrupted weekend train service at the iconic station, causing delays and closures as police secured the area and conducted their investigation.

Commissioner Tisch addressed the media shortly after the incident, describing the attacker’s behavior and confirming the sequence of events. “The individual was armed with a large knife, described as a machete, and was behaving erratically, repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer,” she said. Mayor and other city officials also expressed concern over the violence in a major public space, with calls for continued vigilance in the transit system.

Grand Central Terminal serves hundreds of thousands of commuters and tourists daily, making it a symbol of New York City’s energy and connectivity. Saturday’s attack has shaken many residents and visitors, renewing debates about public safety, mental health intervention, and security measures in the subway system. Random attacks on straphangers, particularly vulnerable elderly individuals, have been a persistent worry for New Yorkers in recent years.

Anthony Griffin’s background has not yet been fully disclosed by authorities, but the rapid escalation from boarding a train to a machete assault highlights ongoing challenges with identifying and addressing individuals in crisis before they pose a danger to the public. Police are continuing to investigate whether any prior incidents or warnings existed regarding Griffin.

Eyewitness accounts described chaos on the platform as commuters scattered and officers moved in. The speed of the police response likely prevented further injuries, though the three victims now face painful recoveries and the psychological trauma of a random assault in a place many consider routine.

The NYPD’s use of deadly force followed protocol after multiple failed attempts to de-escalate. Body camera footage and other evidence will be reviewed as part of the standard investigation into the shooting. In the meantime, transit officials have increased patrols at Grand Central and other major stations in the immediate aftermath.

This incident comes amid broader conversations about subway safety in New York City. Advocates for improved mental health services and better coordination between law enforcement and social services have pointed to cases like this as evidence that more proactive intervention is needed. At the same time, commuters have voiced frustration over perceived vulnerabilities in the system that allow armed individuals to board trains and reach crowded platforms.

For the victims and their families, the focus remains on healing. The 84-year-old man’s deep head and facial lacerations, the 65-year-old’s open skull fracture, and the 70-year-old woman’s shoulder wound represent serious injuries that will require time, medical care, and support. Community members and strangers alike have begun offering prayers and well-wishes online, with many expressing relief that the attacker was stopped before more people were hurt.

Grand Central’s role as a transportation landmark makes the attack feel especially invasive. Millions pass through its halls and platforms each year, relying on the system for work, travel, and daily life. Saturday’s events serve as a stark reminder that even in well-patrolled areas, random violence can erupt without warning.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities will piece together Griffin’s movements, any possible motives, and whether he had any interactions with the mental health or criminal justice systems prior to the attack. For now, the city mourns the fear instilled in innocent riders and honors the quick actions of the responding officers.

The three elderly victims embody the vulnerability many older New Yorkers feel when navigating public spaces. Their survival and recovery will be closely watched, with hopes that they can return to normal life despite the scars — both physical and emotional — left by the machete-wielding attacker who called himself “Lucifer.”

In the end, what began as a normal Saturday morning commute turned into a scene of horror at one of New York’s most iconic locations. The machete attack at Grand Central Terminal, carried out by a man claiming to be the devil himself, has left the city shaken but determined to protect its transit riders and restore confidence in one of the world’s busiest stations.