Bronx rapper killed by police after machete attack in New York City
Battle rapper Fox 5 was shot dead by New York City police over the weekend.
The 44-year-old (real name Anthony Griffin) reportedly attacked three elderly people with a machete at Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan on April 11th.
According to the New York Post, Griffin called himself “Lucifer” in the unprovoked attack, resulting in an 85-year-old man, a 65-year-old man, and a 70-year-old woman being slashed. However, all three are in stable condition.
Two detectives for the New York Police Department allegedly approached Griffin and told him to drop his weapon around 20 times, but he refused.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, “From the top of the stairs, they observed the individual on the platform, and they immediately ordered him to drop the knife. The individual was armed with a large knife described as a machete and was behaving erratically, repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer.”
After offering help, Griffin allegedly moved towards them with the blade extended, prompting one of the officers to strike him twice with his firearm. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after.
Following the incident, rapper Mickey Factz spoke to the Daily News about his late friend, Fox 5.
“There was always a kind side to him,” he said. “But obviously there were some demons that he could not conquer. Via DVDs, in the very early beginning stages of YouTube in 2005, his name was circulating … And he was pretty known in that very niche space.”
He continued, “He was always the exuberant one in the space. He just always had a little bit more energy than a lot of us that were there. Prayers and prayers and prayers to the families who were devastated by such a malicious attack.”