Trevor Bickford, a 20-year-old from Maine, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for attacking three New York police officers with a machete-style knife in the name of jihad. The incident occurred on New Year’s Eve in 2022 during the Times Square festivities. Before the attack, Bickford shouted “Allahu Akbar” and proceeded to injure the officers with his blade, attempting to take one of their guns. Ultimately, he was shot by one of the officers, halting the assault.
In the aftermath, Bickford confessed to authorities that his intention was to wage jihad and target individuals working for the U.S. government. He had initially planned to travel to Afghanistan to support the Taliban but changed his focus to launching an attack in the U.S. His phone search history revealed queries about carrying out jihad and gathering information about police patrols in New York City.
Despite suffering from mental health issues such as schizoaffective bipolar disorder and major depression syndrome, Bickford received some leniency from Judge Kevin Castel. His mother had sought help for him multiple times, and medical professionals were aware of his violent intentions prior to the attack. Castel expressed concern over the lack of action taken despite warning signs.
Overall, Bickford’s sentencing highlights the tragic consequences of untreated mental illness and the potential for radicalization among vulnerable individuals.
