Two court security officers were stabbed inside the Manhattan criminal courthouse on Monday, June 16, 2025, in what authorities are describing as a targeted attack at the security checkpoint.
According to reports, the violent incident unfolded just before midday, as the officers were conducting routine screening at the metal detectors.
According to law enforcement sources, one officer was slashed across the face, while the other sustained a neck wound. Both victims were quickly transported to a local hospital and are now in stable condition, officials confirmed.
The attacker, identified only as a male with a lengthy rap sheet and documented mental health concerns, was immediately subdued by several other court officers on duty.
“Several Court Officers immediately rushed to stop the assailant, subduing him near a bank of magnetometers, disarming him, and taking him into custody,” said Al Baker, spokesperson for the New York State Unified Court System.
The suspect reportedly has 18 prior arrests, primarily for drug-related offenses, and a history of erratic behavior at the courthouse, officials said. He is currently undergoing psychiatric evaluation at Bellevue Hospital.
Video footage obtained by ABC News shows the suspect appearing to approach the metal detectors before suddenly lunging at the officers with a concealed weapon.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the type of weapon used, but described the attack as swift and deliberate.
“This appears to be a targeted attack,” Baker emphasized, though the motive remains under investigation.
The Manhattan courthouse has been in the national spotlight in recent months, as it hosted the criminal trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump, making it a heavily policed and symbolically charged venue.
While there is no indication that Monday’s incident is connected to any political proceedings, law enforcement agencies are not ruling out any possibilities as the investigation unfolds.
A full investigation is now underway, led by the NYPD, state court officers, and counterterrorism units, given the courthouse’s high security status.
Sources say officials are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to determine whether the suspect had planned the attack or acted on impulse.
Security protocols at the courthouse are also under review.
A Manhattan courthouse known for its high-profile cases turned into a crime scene Monday after two court officers were violently attacked at the security checkpoint.
The swift response by fellow officers prevented further harm, but the incident raises serious concerns about courthouse security and the handling of emotionally disturbed individuals with criminal records.
