Penn Station stabbing suspect in custody after attack leaves 5 injured before Trump MSG visit

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Five people were stabbed inside Penn Station on Sunday evening, leaving one seriously injured and putting a spotlight on security concerns just hours before President Donald Trump is expected to attend a game at Madison Square Garden above the transit hub.

Authorities quickly moved to secure the area after the attack. The incident drew added attention because it happened less than 24 hours before Trump’s scheduled appearance at Game 3 between the Knicks and Spurs.

Penn Station suspect taken into custody

The stabbing spree began shortly after 7 pm at the busy Midtown transportation center, according to the FDNY.

Five victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital. Fire officials said one person suffered serious injuries, two sustained moderate injuries and two others were treated for minor injuries.

Authorities said an unidentified suspect is in custody.

According to the New York Post, the individual is believed to be emotionally disturbed, though officials have not publicly released a motive.

An Amtrak spokesperson confirmed that Amtrak police responded to the scene and apprehended the suspect.

“Earlier this afternoon, Amtrak Police responded to a reported stabbing at New York Penn Station,” the agency said. “The suspect has been apprehended and an investigation is underway.”

A photo shared on social media appeared to show several officers restraining a person on the station floor.

“This guy stabbed somebody in Penn Station,” the user wrote. “People were flooding out of the station.”

Witness describes blood-covered station floor

A Penn Station worker who asked not to be identified said he received urgent calls instructing staff to shut down parts of the station.

“I got calls to start closing the station,” the worker said.

When he arrived, he said he found two injured men and extensive blood at the scene.

“It was real bloody, there was a lot of blood on the floor,” he recalled.

The worker said one victim had bandages wrapped around his head and “looked like he was hurt pretty bad.”

Another victim appeared to have suffered what looked like a scratch to the neck, he added.

Mamdani calls Penn Station unacceptable violence

The attack occurred at one of New York City’s busiest transportation hubs and less than a day before Trump is expected to be at Madison Square Garden, located directly above Penn Station.

Authorities have not indicated any connection between the stabbing and Trump’s visit.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdanii said he had been briefed on the incident and confirmed that the alleged attacker was in custody.

“I’ve been briefed on the horrific stabbing at Penn Station,” Mamdani wrote on X. “Based on the information available right now, six people were stabbed and the alleged perpetrator is in custody following a swift response from the Amtrak Police Department.”

The mayor said his administration was in contact with Amtrak officials as investigators worked to determine what happened. He also thanked first responders and said there were “currently no impacts to Amtrak service.”

“My heart is with everyone who was injured, their loved ones, and all those shaken by this unacceptable violence,” Mamdani wrote. “I’m wishing each of the victims a full and speedy recovery.”

The station worker described the violence as unusual for the location despite the city’s challenges.

“It’s New York City. Things like that happen, unfortunately, it happened down here,” he said. “I can’t say it happens here a lot because it doesn’t … it’s a good place here, people trying to get home.”

He added, “I’m just glad it wasn’t anything crazier than what it was.”

Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack, while authorities have not released additional details about the suspect, a possible motive or what may have triggered the stabbing rampage.