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Who stabbed 2 female employees at MoMA? Man, 60, knifes them over revoked membership

Both the victims were rushed to Bellevue Hospital and their injuries were reportedly not life-threatening

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Two female employees of the Museum of Modern Art were stabbed by a man who got furious after being denied entry because his membership had been revoked. Patrons were seen running for the exits after the suspect jumped over a desk and stabbed the two women on March 12 shortly after 4 pm. Both the women were rushed to Bellevue Hospital and their injuries were reportedly not life-threatening.

“I’m going to get hazard pay!” one of the women, covered in blood, joked while being taken to an ambulance. The suspect, 60, is known to police. While police initially believed he was hiding in the building, which was soon evacuated, a thorough search could not find him. Later, he was spotted on video recordings leaving the building, said John Miller, NYPD deputy commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism.

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Miller explained that the suspect wanted to enter the building but the membership card he produced revealed that his membership had been revoked. His membership was allegedly revoked because of two separate incidents involving disorderly conduct at the museum recently. He was subsequently denied entry.

“A letter revoking his membership went out yesterday, and he showed up today with the intention of attending the film that was being played," Miller said. Employees reportedly recognized the man as he visited the museum regularly. “He became upset about not being allowed entrance and then jumped over the reception desk and proceeded to attack and stab two employees of the museum multiple times," Miller said, adding that the women were stabbed in the back, collarbone and back of the neck.

Miller said that cops were already investigating the man in connection with two prior incidents in Midtown. He did not reveal the details of the previous cases. "That’s how he’s known to the department,” he said. “Beyond that, he does not have an extensive record or any arrest record that we are aware.”

Sharing a video on Twitter on people hurriedly leaving the museum, a user wrote,, "Went to meet friends at @MuseumModernArt. Greeted with a stampede of people fleeing. Museum being evacuated." "@mellophonee and I just got evacuated from the MoMA due to an apparent stabbing/shooting. We are both safe but definitely scary being rushed out of the building and seeing police rush in," another user who was present at the museum said. Another user wrote, "Well that was an interesting end to our visit to MoMA! Evacuated to the basement and then up a service elevator to the back of the museum".

Following the incident, Mayor Eric Adams took to Twitter, appreciating the quick work of the first responders at the scene. "I’ve been briefed on the incident at the @MuseumModernArt. We can report that the two victims are being taken care of at Bellevue Hospital and are expected to survive their injuries. We’re grateful for the quick work of our first responders," Adams wrote. "Please continue to avoid the area while Police continue their investigation and if you have any information, please contact the NYPD immediately. Public safety is our top priority. Today’s incident is a reminder that this work affects every community," he added.