The FBI raided the house of the teenager who allegedly struck and injured three New York Metropolis cops with a machete close to Instances Sq. on New Yr’s Eve.
FBI officers entered Trevor Bickford’s home on Alpine Drive in Wells, Maine, on Sunday.
The raid got here someday after the 19-year-old, who seemed to be a typical, all-American teen earlier than allegedly radicalizing himself to Islam, allegedly attacked the officers in considered one of New York’s hottest vacationer areas.
Earlier than the assault on New Yr’s Eve, Bickford had been an honor roll scholar, received awards for his art work, and was a member of the championship soccer staff in his hometown.
Officers with the FBI raided the house of 19-year-old Trevor Bickford in Wells, Maine, only a day after the teenager allegedly struck two NYPD officers within the head with a machete
Bickford allegedly lacerated one of many three officer’s heads and broke one other’s cranium with the machete. He’s pictured sporting a Kufi cap, which many male followers of Islam historically put on, whereas posing for a photograph along with his canine
Bickford’s home is positioned on Alpine Avenue in Wells, Maine – practically 5 hours north of NYC
A number of automobiles from FBI officers had been parked within the house’s driveway as the teenager stays in custody
However after his father died of a drug overdose in 2018, it is believed Bickford’s life descended into turmoil.
By the point Bickford made his strategy to New York Metropolis on Amtrak alone for the alleged assaults this weekend, the teenager was already reportedly on the FBI’s radar.
He was on the Bureau’s terrorism ‘Guardian Watchlist,’ and had instructed his aunt he was planning to journey to Afghanistan to combat, sources instructed The New York Put up.
On Saturday night time, Bickford allegedly attacked two NYPD cops on Eighth Avenue between 51st and 52nd Avenue, proper outdoors Instances Sq. the place hundreds of revelers had been ringing within the new yr.
One other officer shot at Bickford, hanging him within the shoulder. He stays hospitalized on the Bellevue and costs are pending.
The entire household is pictured in happier occasions on the Tower of Terror in Disney World
Trevor Bickford, 19, seemed to be a typical teen earlier than he allegedly grew to become radicalized and made his strategy to Instances Sq. on New Yr’s Eve the place he’s {accused} of slashing two cops
Bickford doesn’t have a felony document in response to a preliminary investigation, however police sources say the Bureau in Boston has an open case on him.
Authorities have instructed NBC they had been trying into whether or not the suspect had beforehand posted what they known as jihadist writings on-line after which traveled to New York Metropolis to focus on police.
Pictures posted to Fb present Bickford at completely different occasions of his life, many along with his two brothers Devin and Travis.
There are pictures of him taking part in soccer with the championship Wells Excessive College Warriors soccer staff, singing within the choir, and marching with the colour guard.
As lately as 2020, he was amongst a gaggle of scholars to win awards for his or her art work. Bickford received for his work in jewellery, Seacoastonline reported on the time.
Previous to his loss of life in 2018 – reportedly of a drug overdose – his father Thomas Bickford proudly posted pictures of his sons and their achievements.
Household and associates had been fast to reward the boys and their vibrant futures. Bickford’s father died on the age of 41, in response to his obituary.
Bickford (on far proper) is pictured on many social media posts with brothers Devin and Travis
Bickford’s father Tom posted a pictures of his sons at a Bears recreation in 2015. Tom died in 2018
His mother and father Thomas and Audra D’Antilio married on September 9, 2001, and raised three sons, Devin, Trevor, and Travis, in Wells, Maine.
The patriarch of the household might typically be discovered teaching them at soccer and wrestling, in response to the obituary.
His dad Thomas Bickford died unexpectedly in 2018 at age 41, in response to his obit
It additionally mentioned he was typically laborious on his sons when it comes to his model of teaching, however ‘he beloved his boys greater than something.’
Bickford’s mom Audra D’Antilio, who finally remarried, additionally has a slew of pictures on her Fb web page the place she gushes about her son, calling him an ‘previous soul’ and writes that she feels fortunate to be his mom.
On July 28, she shared a photograph of Bickford for his nineteenth birthday and wrote: ‘Blissful nineteenth Birthday Trevor. So proud and fortunate to have the ability to name you my son.
‘You are an previous soul and also you amaze me day by day with all that you just take pleasure in to discover and do. I like that you don’t have any concern of making an attempt new issues, and also you actually are the perfect brother ever. I’m so past pleased with the person you might be turning into, I like you.’
Simply six months later, Bickford is being {accused} of the assaults on the NYPD officers. Bickford and the cops are all at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, the place are all anticipated to outlive.
The assault occurred simply outdoors of the high-security zone the place hundreds of revelers had been screened for weapons as they ready to ring in 2023.
Bickford allegedly slashed two officers with this machete on eighth Avenue close to Instances Sq. round 10pm Saturday night time the place hundreds of revelers ready to ring within the new yr
One other officer fired on the suspect, hitting him within the shoulder. The entire injured had been taken to Bellevue Hospital the place they’re in severe however steady situation, officers have mentioned
An investigation was underway to pinpoint a motive for the assault, however authorities mentioned they didn’t consider there was any ongoing menace to the general public.
Michael Driscoll, the assistant director accountable for the FBI’s New York discipline workplace, mentioned they consider the attacker acted alone.
Authorities have instructed NBC they had been trying into whether or not the suspect had beforehand posted what they known as jihadist writings on-line after which traveled to New York Metropolis to focus on police.
Sources instructed the New York Put up that Bickford packs tenting gear, a diary and a final will and testomony for his journey all the way down to Manhattan for the assaults.
Bickford’s mom has a slew of pictures on her Fb web page the place she gushes concerning the 19-year-old, calling him an ‘previous soul’ and says she’s fortunate to be his mom
Pictures posted on-line by his household present Bickford along with his brothers or along with his canine
A smiling Bickford is pictured in a lot of his mom’s social media posts
The slashing unfolded simply outdoors the safety zone in Instances Sq., the place hundreds gathered for the annual New Yr’s Eve ball drop. Police screened revelers for contraband corresponding to alcohol, massive baggage, and weapons.
Video from the scene reveals revelers being hurried from the scene by cops trying to manage the scene, positioned at 52nd avenue and eighth avenue. Officers might be seen screaming at pedestrians to maneuver away from the crime scene.
The NYPD mounts a large safety operation yearly to maintain the New Yr’s Eve crowd protected. Hundreds of officers are deployed within the space, together with many new recruits to the drive.
The blocks the place the most important crowds collect to see performances and the midnight ball drop can solely be accessed by checkpoints the place officers use metal-detecting wands to display for weapons. ‘
Giant baggage and coolers are banned. Obstacles are set as much as forestall automobile assaults within the safe space.
The safety perimeter can solely prolong to this point, although. The assault occurred on eighth Avenue, which is commonly full of thick crowds navigating across the frozen zone or looking for one of many safe entrances.
