Trevor Bickford: 19-year-old who slashed two NYPD cops on New Year's Eve in Times Square charged
Warning: This article contains recollection of crime that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.
MANHATAN, NEW YORK: Trevor Bickford, accused of slashing two NYPD cops with a machete on New Year's Eve in Times Square, was hit with New York state charges on Monday, January 2. Bickford was an ordinary all-American teenager who played football and enjoyed art. He later turned to Islam. Hailing from Maine, he was reportedly already on the FBI's radar when he traveled alone on the Amtrak to New York City for the suspected attacks.
The 19-year-old was charged with two counts of attempted murder on a police officer and two counts of attempted assault. A federal investigation into potential terrorism charges is underway. CNN reported that Bickford carried a handwritten diary expressing his yearning to join the Taliban in Afghanistan, writing that he wished to die as a martyr. Bickford, along with the cops who were his target, was taken to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan after he was shot in the shoulder by a third cop who stopped the attack. After the FBI raided his home in Maine, they found a diary in which he had written a letter to his family saying, "repent to Allah" so they "may be taken out of the hellfire."
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Trevor Bickford: Alleged Times Square 'terrorist' who slashed NYPD cops released from hospital
Trevor Bickford charged for slashing 2 NYPD cops
New York Post shared the contents of the letter. Bickford wrote, "To my family — specifically, mother — I’m sorry for not having been a good enough son,” the note read, according to a police source. I fear greatly that you will not repent to Allah. And therefore I hold hope in my heart that a piece of you believes so that you may be taken out to the hellfire. To [my brother] Travis. Of anyone I’ve known who I have felt is closest to faith — it’s you. Of anyone I’ve ever wanted to accept Islam with me — it’s you. Please repent to Allah and accept Islam. I fear for you." It is believed that Bickford found religion after the passing away of his father, Tom, from an overdose in 2018 at the age of 41.
Bickford attacked cops working the Times Square detail at around 10 pm on Saturday, December 31. A rookie cop who was on his first assignment was one of the victims and suffered a gash to his head. The Staten Island officer sustained blunt force trauma to the head. Both the officers were taken to the hospital with non-threatening life injuries. Preliminary investigation suggests that Bickford has no criminal record.
