Trevor Bickford: Maine man who carried out machete attack on 3 NYPD officers pleads guilty
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
MAINE, UNITED STATES: The 20-year-old accused of attempting to kill NYPD officers in a machete attack near Times Square on New Year's Eve 2022, pleaded guilty.
On Thursday, January 11, Trevor Bickford altered his plea to guilty on various terror-related charges.
For context, one year ago, Bickford was indicted on terror charges, encompassing attempted murder, assault, and aggravated assault on 3 police officers.
Recently, Bickford provided an explanation for his attempt to kill the three officers, and law enforcement officials elaborated on the details of the incident.
What happened during recent court hearing amid Trevor Bickford's terror charges?
During the recent court session, Bickford admitted guilty to five charges related to murder, stemming from the attack on three police officers on December 31, 2022, along Eighth Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets.
Additionally, Bickford informed the judge that he was undergoing psychiatric treatment for schizoaffective disorder.
He expressed, "On December 31, 2022, I attempted to kill 3 uniformed NYPD officers in an attack with a knife while they were working. I know what I did was wrong and I'm sorry."
All three officers received treatment for their injuries and were discharged from the hospital a day after the incident.
Bickford's family, including his mother, stepfather, and two aunts, were present in the courtroom for the plea change, visibly moved to tears.
Upon sentencing, Bickford could potentially face up to 120 years in prison.
According to NBC New York, the evidence presented by the government would have involved the 12-inch machete utilized in the attack, a journal found at the scene containing Trevor's 'last Will and Testament', and footage from the officers' body cameras capturing the assault
He said at the time of his arrest, "I walked around Times Square trying to figure out the right time to kill, I intended to die in the attack and achieve martyrdom." Bickford's sentencing is scheduled for April 11.
What did law enforcement report?
Senior law enforcement officials identified Trevor Bickford as a "homegrown violent extremist" who endeavored to carry out the assault with a large knife on a night when the streets of midtown were heavily congested.
Amid the ensuing chaos, Bickford was shot in the shoulder and allegedly admitted to his involvement during questioning by detectives after being apprehended.
According to US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, "A year and one day ago today, this Office charged Trevor Bickford with attempting to murder three NYPD officers while they were on duty protecting the thousands of civilians who flocked to Times Square just over a year ago to celebrate the New Year with friends and family.”
He added, "Bickford targeted the iconic yearly celebration to carry out brazen acts of violence and hatred in the name of jihad. Bickford, as with countless others who have carried out acts of terrorism in support of misguided ideologies, is now going to spend lengthy time exactly where he deserves in federal prison.”
On the other side, James Smith, the assistant director in charge of the New York field office of the FBI, expressed similar views.
In a statement, Smith conveyed that Bickford intentionally schemed to instill terror on the streets of New York by singling out law enforcement officers simply carrying out their duty to protect and serve.
Smith further characterized Bickford's guilty plea as a stark reminder of the threat posed by terrorists and those they influence to the nation.
