Man in Port Authority Stabbing Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder
Michael McKloskey, 42, pleaded guilty to attempted murder for an unprovoked stabbing of a 65-year-old carpenter in the Port Authority Bus Terminal in April.
| 19 Sep 2024 | 04:45
A man who stabbed a 65-year-old carpenter nine times in the back and neck in an unprovoked attack in the Port Authority in April has pleaded guilty to attempted murder charges.
Michael McCloskey, 42, who was arrested by Port Authority Police while still holding the knife he used to stab a carpenter who was on his way to work, is expected to be sentenced next month to serve 13 years in prison, according to District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The victim was sitting on a bench outside a Hudson News stand waiting for a friend nn April 22, 2024, at approximately 5:40 a.m., when McCloskey came up behind him and, unprovoked, stabbed him nine times in the throat, neck, back and arm, according to police and court records.
The carpenter, who was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, suffered from several lacerations, puncture wounds and substantial pain. He received approximately 47 stitches to close his wounds.
Patrolling officers of the Port Authority Police Department heard screaming, ran over to the scene and arrested McCloskey as he stood over the carpenter while holding a knife.
Bragg thanked the Port Authority Police Department, particularly Officer Jordan Eugenis and Officer Antonio Peterson for their swift response to the scene, Detective Kevin Horowitz and Detective Alberto Barrera for their meticulous investigation after McCloskey’s arrest, and Lieutenant Amy Desthers for her leadership and efforts to facilitate interagency collaboration. He also thanked the additional officers who responded and rendered aid to the victim, and the Northwell Health EMTs, who treated the victim at the scene.
“Today, Michael McCloskey was held accountable for stabbing a man in an unprovoked attack at a public, densely populated transit hotspot,” said Bragg. “Although the victim has thankfully recovered, he must live with the physical scars this attack has caused. We will continue to treat harmful conduct against commuters with the seriousness it deserves, and I thank our prosecutors for securing this strong outcome in court.”