Trevor Bickford
Trevor Bickford (b. ca. 2003) is the young man who converted to Islam, radicalised by Islamist extremists, became fixated with Jihadism, had traveled from his hometown Wells, Maine, to NYC to attack cops on New Year's Eve with a machete, just outside Times Square during the 2023 new year celebrations.[1]
He wanted to carry out a Jihad, charged prosecutor.[2][3]
He took a train from Maine to New York City and spent the night before in a homeless shelter downtown. A notebook was found in his backpack, containing writings that talked about wanting to go to Afghanistan and training to become a "holy" [sic] warrior (Mujahideen), along with a note addressed to his family.[4]
About two hours before the ball dropped in Times Square,[5] Bickford slashed one officer in the head and then caused minor injuries to another officer before being shot in the shoulder.[6] He tried to grab copâs gun âto killâ NYPD officers.[7]
Bickford made statements in line with Islamic extremist ideologies overnight in the hospital. After his arrest, he allegedly told investigators he targeted police because they are "enemies of the state."[8]
Ahead of the attack, Bickford asked his family to ârepent to Allahâ in disturbing manifesto.[9][10]
His family told the FBI they feared he was being radicalised by Islamist extremists.[11]
A day before the attack the NYPD issued a bulletin to other law enforcement agencies alerting them to a video call from Isis for individual attacks by extremists. The bulletinâs headline read âISIS-Aligned Media Unit Releases Video Ahead of New Yearâs Eve, Demanding Lone Offender Attacks.â
Bickford was on FBI radar since Dec. 10 (2022).[12]
Crisis, trauma & the use by radical Islamists
Bickford became singularly obsessed with Islamic militant activity after the death of his father. Bickford's father died of an overdose in 2018.[13]
See also
References
- â Newman, Andy. "Islamic Extremism Drove Suspect in Times Square Attack, Official Says", The New York Times, 2023-01-02. (en-US)Â
- â Bromwich, Jonah E.. "Times Square Suspect Wanted to âCarry Out Jihad,â Prosecutors Say", The New York Times, 2023-01-04. (en-US)Â
- â Morales, Mark (2023-01-04). Man accused of attacking NYPD officers with machete wanted 'to kill people and carry out jihad,' prosecutors say (en).
- â Maine man charged with attempted murder in Times Square New Year's Eve machete attack (en-US).
- â Man charged with attempted murder in machete attack on NYPD officers (en) (2023-01-02).
- â Hagstrom, Anders (2023-01-02). NYE slashing suspect Trevor Bickford charged with attempted murder of police officers (en-US).
- â Alleged NYC attacker Trevor Bickford tried to grab cop's gun during New Year's Eve assault (en-US) (2023-01-04).
- â NYC machete attacker expressed militant support for Islam, officials say (en).
- â Marino, Joe (2023-01-01). Alleged Islamic extremist in machete attack on NYPD cops asked family to 'repent to Allah' in disturbing manifesto (en-US).
- â Talbot, Alastair (2023-01-02). FBI raid Maine home of Time Square 19-year-old- attacker.
- â "Times Square: Teenager charged over New York NYE machete attack", BBC News, 2023-01-02. (en-GB)Â
- â Terror suspect Trevor Bickford was on FBI radar for weeks (en-US) (2023-01-03).
- â Madappa, Anushree. âI fear for youâ: NYC machete attack suspect Trevor Bickford wrote a chilling manifesto (en-us).