Police officers monitor a protest over the death of George Floyd in New York, the United States, June 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea called the incident "a complete cowardly, despicable, unprovoked attack on a defenseless police officer."
NEW YORK, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer was stabbed and two other officers shot in Brooklyn borough late Wednesday night, and the authorities are investigating whether it's a terrorism-incited attack, local media reported on Thursday.
The suspect, a 20-year-old man from Brooklyn, slashed an officer in the neck at around 11:45 p.m. (0345 GMT on Thursday) when two officers were patrolling in a police car as the city was in the third night of curfew.
Several officers responded to the scene and found the suspect had grabbed a gun from an officer. During a scuffle for the gun, two officers were shot in the hand. The suspect was eventually struck by a sergeant who arrived later.
It's currently unclear whether the two officers were shot by the suspect or by friendly fire during the chaos.
The three injured officers were rushed to a nearby hospital and in stable condition, authorities said, while the suspect was in critical condition.
Police officers arrest some demonstrators during a protest over the death of George Floyd in New York, the United States, June 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea called the incident "a complete cowardly, despicable, unprovoked attack on a defenseless police officer," at a press conference early Thursday.
Local news channel ABC 7 reported that the NYPD and the FBI are working to determine whether the incident is linked to home-grown terrorism or another case of street violence that erupted in recent nights of protests over George Floyd's death.
The suspect had no prior criminal record, while a source with NYPD told local channel NBC4 that he shared anti-police sentiments on social media accounts recently.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) New York office said on Twitter Thursday morning that they are "fully engaged."
"We respond as if one of our own was attacked, and we will use every federal statute available to hold the perpetrator accountable," said FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge William Sweeney. ■