Man accused of stabbing NYC court officers in 'calculated' attack: DA
LOWER MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) --- The knife-wielding man accused of attacking several officers in a Manhattan courthouse was carrying a handwritten note saying, "Give me liberty or give me death," prosecutors said.
Jonathan Wohl, 37, allegedly stabbed multiple officers with a knife with a curved blade and injured other cops who tried to subdue him in the lobby of Manhattan Criminal Court at 100 Centre St. on Monday morning, according to court records.
Wohl was going through the metal detectors at around 9:45 a.m. when he allegedly lunged at the first court officer and stabbed him twice, chipping his jaw, authorities said. The suspect then allegedly charged at another officer and cut him in the face and neck while the cop was trying to protect himself with a metal detector tray, according to court records.
A third New York State court officer then tackled the defendant before other cops helped subdue him. But Wohl allegedly stabbed the third cop in the back of the vest while a fourth officer suffered broken ribs during the struggle, according to court records.
Investigators believe the attack was "calculated" because the defendant did not have ongoing cases at the courthouse, prosecutors said.
Wohl allegedly showed up to court with a notebook with pages scribbled with “Give me liberty or give me death” and “Protect Rodney Hinton.” Hinton is an Ohio man who is charged with fatally hitting a police officer with his car after his son died in a police shooting, prosecutors said.
“Our court officers perform a vital, profound function. It’s a dangerous job. We’re thankful for the work they do. As you heard in court – the defendant, we allege, as it appears, engaged in targeted activity focused on officers. We will not tolerate that in Manhattan. I’m grateful for the work they do each and every day.”
Wohl was arraigned Tuesday on attempted murder and attempted assault charges, prosecutors said. He is being held without bail.
His attorney could not immediately be reached.
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here.