Times Square machete attack suspect Trevor Bickford sentenced to 27 years in prison for New Year’s Eve attack – NBC New York

The 20-year-old from Maine accused of trying to murder NYPD officers in a machete attack near Times Square on New Year’s Eve 2022 has been sentenced to nearly three decades in prison after pleading guilty to multiple terrorism-related charges had.

Trevor Bickford was indicted in January 2023 on terrorism-related charges including attempted murder, assault and aggravated assault on a police officer, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. A year later, he pleaded guilty to five counts related to the Dec. 31, 2023, attack on three police officers he had approached on Eighth Avenue between 51st and 52nd Streets.

Bickford had previously told the judge that he was receiving psychiatric treatment for schizoaffective disorder. During his guilty plea in January, he told the court: “On December 31, 2022, I attempted to kill three uniformed NYPD officers in a knife attack while they were working. I know what I did was wrong and I’m sorry.”

As part of his plea, Bickford admitted that he scouted Times Square and selected a group of NYPD officers as his target. He said he carried out the attack to wage jihad, aiming to kill military-age men so he could become a martyr. Bickford allegedly made self-blaming statements to detectives while in custody.

“Inspired by radical Islamic extremism, Trevor Bickford brutally attacked three NYPD officers who were just doing their jobs by protecting the public during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. “Fortunately, an officer’s quick actions were able to stop the defendant’s attack while minimizing the risk to the innocent bystanders who could have easily become additional victims of the defendant’s heinous violence.”

Had the case gone to trial, the government’s evidence would have included the 12-inch machete used in the attack, a journal found at the crime scene containing Trevor’s “last will and testament,” and officers’ body camera video showing the attack. A video showed the machete striking the officers, while Bickford’s face was also seen as he brandished the weapon.

“He planned, prepared and traveled to carry out a vicious attack in support of his violent ideology, and now he will be held accountable for his actions,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray.

As neighbors describe the officer injured in the attack as a caring young man, there are also questions about whether the suspect in the New Year’s Eve machete fight may have tried to grab an officer’s gun. NBC New York’s Ida Siegal reports.

All three officers were treated for their injuries and released from the hospital a day after the incident. One officer suffered a fractured skull in the attack.

The three officers were in the courtroom for the sentencing and gave victim impact statements.

“My ability to be a police officer has been severely impaired. Because of Mr. Bickford’s actions, I can no longer do the job I held for a decade,” Officer Louis Iorio said in court. He suffered a cut to his scalp and said he continued to have migraines, adding that he was forced to retire.

Prosecutors said Bickford tried to grab an officer’s gun before shots were fired. A bullet hit Bickford in the shoulder amid the resulting chaos.

Officer Mickel Hanna, who fired the single shot into Bickford’s shoulder, ending the rampage, spoke about how he never wanted to use his service weapon, but “if I hadn’t, people could have died that night,” Hanna said lost his sense of security and doesn’t like being in crowds.

Officer Paul Cozzolino, who had graduated from the academy the day before, told the court: “It’s a day that will remain in my memory forever.” He suffered a fractured skull and told the court he could handle the physical Coping with pain, but going home to my family is the most important part that I will cherish forever.

Bickford looked at the officers as they gave their statements. This came after he addressed the court and apologized again to the officials he hurt, as well as to his family and the country.

“I have left scars … and I hope the victims can forgive me,” he said.

Bickford potentially faced up to 120 years in prison, although prosecutors had called for a 50-year sentence. His lawyers said their client suffered from mental illness and hallucinations and was radicalized by Islamic jihadist material online. They had demanded a ten-year prison sentence.

The judge disagreed with the defense’s arguments and noted that Bickford chose New Year’s Eve in midtown Manhattan, a globally televised event, to carry out his attack.

“Luckily he couldn’t get his hands on a weapon. “It could have been much worse,” said Judge Kevin Castel.

The sentence will be served at Federal Medical Center Devens in Massachusetts.