A fatal police shooting occurred at Grand Central Station on Saturday morning after an individual allegedly stabbed three people on subway platforms, leading to the temporary closure of several subway stops. The alleged assailant, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, was pronounced dead at a hospital following the incident, as confirmed by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and the MTA.

Police officers confronted Griffin around 9:40 a.m. on the 4-5-6 subway platform. Commissioner Tisch stated that Griffin was armed with a long knife, described as a machete, and was behaving erratically, repeatedly claiming to be "Lucifer." Despite receiving at least 20 orders to drop the weapon, Griffin failed to comply. When he advanced toward the officers with the knife, one officer discharged their firearm, striking Griffin twice.

NYPD Commissioner Tisch also revealed that Griffin had three prior unsealed arrests. The spree of attacks began on the 7 train platform, where he slashed one individual, before continuing to the 4-5-6 platform, where he attacked two more victims. Fortunately, the injuries sustained by the three victims are not believed to be life-threatening.

The victims include an 84-year-old man who suffered significant lacerations to his head and face, a 65-year-old man with similar injuries and an open-skull fracture, and a 70-year-old woman who was also assaulted. All three victims were transported to a hospital and were in stable condition by late Saturday morning. According to Joseph Gulotta, NYPD's chief of transit, it does not appear that the victims knew each other.

Commissioner Tisch emphasized the officers' actions, stating they confronted an armed individual who had already injured multiple people and continued to pose a threat. She highlighted that they attempted to de-escalate the situation, and when the threat persisted, they took decisive action to protect New Yorkers at one of the city's busiest train platforms. The two NYPD officers involved in the initial response were also transported to the hospital for evaluation.

The incident caused significant disruption to subway services. While the 7 train experienced delays but resumed stops at Grand Central Station in both directions by 2 p.m., the 4, 5, and 6 trains were still bypassing the station as of the same time, with no immediate information on when normal service would resume. The 4-5-6 platform at Grand Central, typically bustling, was observed to be quiet and empty, cordoned off by yellow caution tape around the turnstiles, with NYPD officers guarding the entrance.