Five people sustained injuries in a stabbing incident at New York’s Penn Station on Sunday, according to the city fire department. The incident comes as the metropolitan area prepares to host two major sporting events, the NBA Finals and football’s World Cup.
A suspect was taken into custody. The victims were all civilians. Among them, one suffered serious injuries, two sustained moderate injuries, and two others received minor injuries. The New York Fire Department said all were taken to hospital.
“Perp in custody,” the department said in a brief statement. “Operations ongoing.”
The circumstances behind the stabbing were not immediately clear. A photographer at the scene later saw gauze, medical gloves and blood on the floor near tracks 5 and 6. Police cordoned off the area.
The incident took place at one of the country’s busiest rail and subway hubs. The city is preparing for major sporting events in the coming days, including the NBA Finals and the football World Cup tournament.
Madison Square Garden, located above Penn Station in Manhattan, will host games three and four of the NBA Finals on Monday and Wednesday between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
MetLife Stadium, outside New York in New Jersey, will host its first World Cup match on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend Monday’s NBA game at Madison Square Garden. He recently said he accepted an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan.
Security has been tightened across the city ahead of the two events.
New York’s emergency notification system did not describe the incident in detail. It advised people to avoid the area and expect traffic delays, road closures, mass transit disruptions and emergency response activity near Penn Station.
Before the stabbing, officials had already cancelled an outdoor watch party planned for Monday outside the Garden.
On Friday, thousands gathered at an intersection outside the venue for a game two watch party. Authorities said 26 people were arrested after some fans became disorderly.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said a police officer was assaulted during efforts to control the crowd. He called the behaviour “unacceptable.”
