One victim was seriously hurt in the Sunday evening attack on the NJ Transit concourse.
NEW YORK CITY, NY — Five people were stabbed Sunday evening inside Penn Station in Manhattan, where police took a suspect into custody after a knife attack on the NJ Transit concourse, fire officials and law enforcement officials said.
The attack brought a heavy emergency response to one of the country’s busiest transit hubs and disrupted travel in Midtown Manhattan. The New York City Fire Department said one person suffered serious injuries, two had moderate injuries and two had minor injuries. All five were taken to Bellevue Hospital.
Paramedics responded shortly after 7 p.m. to the concourse used by NJ Transit riders, where commuters reported panic as people moved away from the scene. Amtrak police arrested the suspect at Penn Station, officials said. A knife was recovered, according to reports from law enforcement officials. Authorities did not immediately release the suspect’s name, age or hometown. A senior law enforcement official said the person taken into custody was believed to have mental health issues. “We are grateful for the quick response by law enforcement and first responders,” city officials said as the investigation continued Sunday night.
The Fire Department gave the clearest public count of the injured, saying five stabbing victims were transported to Bellevue. Some reports also described a sixth person taken to another hospital, but officials did not immediately clarify that person’s role or condition. The victims’ names and ages were not released. Police had not said whether the victims knew the attacker or whether they were chosen at random. The stabbing happened in a crowded part of the station, near train access points used by commuters traveling between New York and New Jersey. Officers secured the area while investigators reviewed the scene and gathered accounts from witnesses.
Penn Station sits below Madison Square Garden and serves Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit and subway riders. The station carries large crowds during the evening rush and during major events at the arena above it. The stabbing happened one night before Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, where President Donald Trump was expected to attend. Officials had already planned heightened security around the arena and the surrounding streets. The attack added to concerns about safety in and around major transit centers, where city, state and rail police agencies share responsibility for patrols and emergency response.
Amtrak police were leading the immediate arrest response at the station, while the New York Police Department and other agencies assisted with crowd control and traffic around Midtown. No charges had been announced by early Monday, and officials had not released a motive. Investigators were expected to review surveillance video, interview victims and witnesses, and determine whether the case would move through state court in Manhattan. Police also asked people to avoid the area Sunday night because of traffic delays, road closures and transit disruptions tied to the crime scene and the security buildup near Madison Square Garden.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as commuters and visitors fled from the concourse. Images from the station showed officers surrounding a man on the floor as emergency crews moved through the terminal. Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City officials condemned the attack and praised responders who moved quickly through the crowded station. The violence came as the city was preparing for a high-profile sports event and tighter security around the arena. Officials said there was no immediate indication that the stabbing was connected to the NBA Finals, the president’s planned visit or any broader threat.
By Monday morning, the suspect remained in custody and the injured victims were being treated. The next major update is expected when police release charging details, victim conditions or a fuller account of what led to the attack.
Author note: Last updated June 8, 2026.