Suspect in machete attack in Times Square arrested 4:01
(CNN) --
Prosecutors said New Year's machete attack suspect Trevor Bickford wanted to carry out the assassination of government officials and had traveled to New York "to kill people and carry out jihad." .
The statement was made in response to a bail request from Bickford.
The three injured NYPD officers are in stable condition, according to the NYPD commissioner.
Trevor Bickford, accused of attacking three NYPD officers on New Year's Eve, told investigators he wanted to kill a police officer and waited until the officer was alone to act, according to the complaint. the prosecution.
"The defendant admitted that he purposely waited until he saw a time when the officer was isolated and not near any civilians where he could attack him," prosecutor Lucy Nicholas said in court.
New Year's Eve Times Square machete attack suspect arrested: faces attempted murder charges
Bickford stated during his interview with authorities that he said "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is great) before walking up and hitting an officer over the head with the gun.
He then described how he charged another officer, but dropped the knife and tried to get the officer's gun, though to no avail, according to the complaint.
The Prosecution cited the defendant's statements: "I wanted to kill an officer in uniform. I saw the officer and waited until he was alone. I said 'Allahu Akbar'. I walked over and hit him on the head with a kukri (a Nepalese knife similar to a machete). I lunged at another agent but I put the knife down and tried to grab his weapon, but I couldn't."
The suspect was taken back into custody.
Trevor Bickford is being held by the New York City police on suspicion of a machete attack on three police officers on New Year's Eve.
(Credit: WABC)
Before Bickford was taken into custody, his defense attorney had said his client is "presumed innocent" and argued that he should be released on parole.
She also stressed that he is 19 years old, has been in custody for more than 24 hours and has no criminal record.
Bickford's attorney, Rosemary Vassallo-Vellucci, also mentioned her ties to the community, telling the judge that she has been living with her family in Maine and recently worked on a golf course.
“He is presumed innocent,” Vassallo-Vellucci said.
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