The teenager {accused} of slashing two NYPD cops with a machete on New Yr’s Eve was carrying a handwritten diary professing his need to affix the Taliban in Afghanistan, in keeping with a brand new report.
Trevor Bickford, 19, who stays in police custody following the assault outdoors the Occasions Sq. safety zone, additionally wrote within the diary that he wished to die as a martyr, CNN reported, citing regulation enforcement sources.
After Bickford allegedly slashed two officers shortly earlier than midnight Saturday, one other NYPD officer shot him within the shoulder and he was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, together with the 2 cops. They’re all anticipated to outlive.
On Sunday, the FBI raided the teenager’s household residence in Wells, Maine, the place Bickford was by all appearances an upstanding highschool pupil earlier than allegedly radicalizing himself to Islamic extremism.
Along with the diary, Bickford reportedly carried a chilling letter wherein he he urged his household to ‘repent to Allah’ in order that they ‘could also be taken out of the hellfire.’
Trevor Bickford, 19, carrying a handwritten diary professing his need to affix the Taliban in Afghanistan when he allegedly attacked NYPD officers with a machete on New Yr’s Eve
Bickford allegedly slashed two officers with this machete on eighth Avenue close to Occasions Sq. round 10pm Saturday evening the place hundreds of revelers ready to ring within the new yr
Bickford reportedly professed his need to affix the Taliban in Afghanistan. Taliban militants are seen above patrolling Kabul final yr, after retaking management of the nation
‘To my household — particularly, mom — I am sorry for not having been a ok son,’ the be aware learn, in keeping with a police supply who spoke with the New York Put up.
The be aware, which has not been launched publicly, continued with Bickford allegedly writing his hopes that his household will at some point see the world the best way he does.
Earlier than the assault on New Yr’s Eve, Bickford had been an honor roll pupil, gained awards for his art work, and was a member of the championship soccer staff in his hometown.
However after his father died of a drug overdose in 2018, it seems Bickford’s life descended into turmoil.
‘I concern tremendously that you’ll not repent to Allah,’ he wrote within the be aware to household reported by the Put up. ‘And due to this fact I maintain hope in my coronary heart {that a} piece of you believes so that you could be be taken out to the hellfire.’
Bickford went on to name his brother Devon a traitor for serving within the U.S. Military.
‘To Devon, there was a time once we have been shut, however that point has handed,’ the manifesto mentioned, in keeping with the Put up.
One other officer fired on the suspect, hitting him within the shoulder. All the injured have been taken to Bellevue Hospital the place they’re in critical however secure situation, officers have mentioned
‘You might have joined the ranks of my enemy. And for that I may give you no variety phrases – return to Allah,’ wrote the 19-year-old, who doesn’t have a felony report in keeping with a preliminary investigation.
‘To [my brother] Travis. Of anybody I’ve identified who I’ve felt is closest to religion — it is you,’ Bickford allegedly wrote.
‘Of anybody I’ve ever needed to simply accept Islam with me — it is you. Please repent to Allah and settle for Islam. I concern for you.’
On Saturday evening, Bickford allegedly attacked two NYPD cops on Eighth Avenue between 51st and 52nd Road, proper outdoors Occasions Sq. the place hundreds of revelers have been ringing within the new yr.
One other officer shot at Bickford, hanging him within the shoulder. He stays hospitalized on the Bellevue and expenses are pending.
Bickford doesn’t have a felony report in keeping with a preliminary investigation, however police sources say the FBI’s discipline workplace in Boston has an open case on him.
Bickford’s home is situated on Alpine Road in Wells, Maine – almost 5 hours north of NYC
Bickford (on far proper) is pictured on many social media posts with brothers Devin and Travis
Authorities have advised NBC they have been wanting into whether or not the suspect had beforehand posted what they referred to as jihadist writings on-line after which traveled to New York Metropolis to focus on police.
Pictures posted to Fb present Bickford at totally different instances of his life, many along with his two brothers Devin and Travis.
There are images 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 gained 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 images of his sons and their achievements.
Household and pals have been fast to reward the boys and their shiny futures. Bickford’s father died on the age of 41, in keeping with his obituary.
Bickford’s mom has a slew of images on her Fb web page the place she gushes in regards to 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
His dad and mom 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 usually be discovered teaching them at soccer and wrestling, in keeping with the obituary.
His dad Thomas Bickford died unexpectedly in 2018 at age 41, in keeping with his obit
It additionally mentioned he was typically exhausting on his sons when it comes to his type of teaching, however ‘he beloved his boys greater than something.’
Bickford’s mom Audra D’Antilio, who ultimately remarried, additionally has a slew of images 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: ‘Comfortable 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 every single day with all that you simply take pleasure in to discover and do. I like that you don’t have any concern of attempting new issues, and also you really are one of the best brother ever. I’m so past pleased with the person you’re 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 entire household is pictured in happier instances on the Tower of Terror in Disney World
Michael Driscoll, the assistant director in command of the FBI’s New York discipline workplace, mentioned the FBI’s Joint Terrorist Process Power in New York Metropolis was investigating however investigators consider the attacker acted alone.
The assault occurred simply outdoors of the high-security zone the place hundreds of revelers have been screened for weapons as they ready to ring in 2023.
Bickford is {accused} of slashing one officer within the head, hanging a second officer with the machete, and swinging at a 3rd cop, who fired his weapon, hanging Bickford within the shoulder.
The assault and sound of a gunshot briefly despatched some individuals operating, however the festivities in Occasions Sq. continued uninterrupted.
Mayor Eric Adams mentioned at a information convention early Sunday that he spoke to one of many wounded officers as he was being stitched up on the hospital.
‘He was in good spirits,’ Adams mentioned. ‘He understood that his position saved lives of New Yorkers immediately.’
