Authorities said the attack unfolded inside New York City’s busiest rail hub as security preparations intensified for a major event nearby.
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Five people were injured and a sixth person was taken to a hospital after a stabbing attack inside Penn Station on Sunday evening, authorities said. Police quickly took a suspect into custody after the violence erupted in the crowded transit center beneath Madison Square Garden.
The attack occurred shortly after 7 p.m. and disrupted travel through one of the nation’s busiest transportation hubs. Emergency crews treated multiple victims with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Investigators spent the evening examining the scene and interviewing witnesses while public officials condemned the violence and pledged support for those who were hurt.
According to the New York City Fire Department, emergency responders received reports of multiple stabbings inside the station shortly after 7 p.m. The incident unfolded during a busy travel period as commuters and travelers moved through the rail complex, which serves Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit and several New York City subway lines. Paramedics found five victims with varying levels of injuries. One person suffered serious wounds, two sustained moderate injuries and two others had minor injuries. Those five victims were transported to Bellevue Hospital. Authorities said all were reported to be in stable condition. A sixth person was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, though officials did not immediately release details about that individual’s condition. Amtrak Police officers responded to the scene, secured the area and detained a suspect within minutes of the attack.
Investigators had not publicly identified either the suspect or the victims late Sunday. Officials also had not announced a motive. Amtrak Police said a person of interest was taken into custody at the scene and that a knife was recovered during the response. Law enforcement officials told several news organizations that the suspect is believed to have experienced mental health issues, though authorities had not released additional details or any medical history. Witnesses described confusion as passengers hurried away from the area near the affected sections of the station. Portions of the facility were temporarily restricted while police collected evidence and documented the scene. Photographs and videos shared online showed a heavy emergency response and large numbers of officers working around cordoned-off areas. Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active and that detectives are continuing to review surveillance footage and witness accounts.
The violence drew attention because of Penn Station’s importance to transportation throughout the Northeast. Hundreds of thousands of commuters and travelers pass through the facility on a typical day, making it one of the busiest transit centers in the United States. The attack also occurred less than a day before a high-profile event at Madison Square Garden directly above the station. Officials had already announced enhanced security measures ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals, including screening procedures and restrictions on bags entering the arena. Public safety agencies had been preparing for large crowds expected to gather around the venue. Sunday’s incident renewed concerns about public safety in major transportation hubs, though authorities stressed that such attacks remain relatively uncommon at Penn Station. Previous transit-related stabbing incidents in New York have prompted reviews of security practices and emergency response procedures, but investigators cautioned against drawing conclusions before the facts of this case are fully established.
As of late Sunday, no criminal charges had been publicly announced against the suspect. Investigators were expected to continue interviewing witnesses, reviewing security footage and analyzing physical evidence recovered from the scene. Officials did not immediately say whether the victims appeared to have been targeted or whether the attack was random. Those questions are expected to be central to the investigation in the coming days. State and local leaders said they would closely monitor developments as law enforcement agencies complete their review. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the victims were attacked in a “horrific” act of violence and expressed hope for their recovery. Transportation officials worked to restore normal operations while maintaining access for investigators. Authorities also warned travelers to expect delays and increased police activity around Penn Station and Madison Square Garden as security operations continued.
The scene inside and around the station reflected the disruption caused by the attack. Travelers encountered emergency vehicles, police tape and clusters of officers directing pedestrian traffic. Some commuters described seeing passengers rush toward exits after reports of the stabbings spread through the terminal. A Penn Station worker told reporters that he arrived after receiving instructions to help close parts of the area and saw injured individuals receiving assistance from first responders. He said there was visible evidence of the violence and praised emergency crews for responding quickly. Public officials echoed those sentiments while focusing attention on the victims and their families. Hochul said New Yorkers deserve to feel safe wherever they go and pledged continued efforts to support public safety across the state. Throughout the evening, officers remained stationed around the transit hub as investigators worked into the night.
The suspect remained in custody Sunday night, and investigators had not released a motive or announced charges. Authorities said the inquiry is ongoing and that additional information is expected as detectives complete interviews and evidence reviews in the coming days.