Latest news with #courtattack
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Federal charge for man accused of attacking a federal judge clerk
Federal authorities on Friday announced charges against a Chicago man accused of punching a federal court clerk earlier this week outside the Dirksen Federal Building in the Loop. Chicago police arrested Joshua Rowell, 36, on Tuesday afternoon, about an hour after authorities said he approached the clerk from behind and punched her in the side of the face, sending her tumbling to the ground, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. The clerk, whom authorities didn't identify, was taken to an area hospital for treatment for a concussion. Authorities did not indicate whether the attack was unprovoked, but the attack was captured on surveillance video. A federal complaint filed in U.S. District Court charges Rowell with one count of forcible assault of a federal employee, which is punishable by up to eight years in federal prison, authorities said. The charges stem from the clerk working in her official capacity as a federal employee when she was struck, authorities said. Rowell remained in law enforcement custody and his first federal court appearance hadn't been scheduled as of Friday evening. 'Under my leadership, there will be zero tolerance for attacks against federal employees or attacks at the federal courthouse or any other federal government building or land in the Northern District of Illinois,' U.S. Attorney Boutros said in a statement. 'Our federal employees and the people of the Northern District of Illinois deserve to be able to go to and from work and enjoy all that downtown and Chicagoland have to offer without looking over their shoulders out of fear of being attacked. When assailants cross the line, they will be swiftly prosecuted to the full extent of the law.'
CBS News
17-06-2025
- CBS News
Man accused in violent attack on court officers inside Manhattan Criminal Court faces judge
The suspect accused in the violent attack on court officers at Manhattan Criminal Court faced a judge on Tuesday. Jonathan Wohl, 37, has been charged with assault and attempted murder. The latest on the investigation Prosecutors say Wohl had no pending cases or a reason for visiting the courthouse and carried out what they call a calculated, brutal attack. Court officers packed the courtroom steps away from the security checkpoint where several of their own were allegedly attacked on Monday morning. Dozens came face to face with handcuffed Wohl, who prosecutors say is seen on video charging at uniformed officers with a knife. "The injuries from the defendant's attack would have almost certainly been worse, or even fatal, if not for the vests worn by the officers, and if not for the fact that the blade was curved," Assistant District Attorney Taylor Holland said. According to prosecutors, Wohl entered the courthouse and calmly walked to metal detectors, but when the closest officer turned away, he took a knife out of his bag and struck that officer at least twice, cutting his face. Wohl then allegedly charged at another officer, slashing his face and neck. Others rushed in to help. In all, five officers were injured. "We will not tolerate that in Manhattan" Prosecutors say Wohl came into the courthouse with handwritten pages, one which reads, in part, "Give me liberty or give me death," and another includes various remarks about the court system or police. He also allegedly has a history of interacting with court officers at Manhattan Criminal Court and for multiple other disruptive incidents. "The defendant, we allege, as it appears, engaged in targeted activity focused on officers. We will not tolerate that in Manhattan," District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. A defense attorney requested medical attention and protective custody for Wohl, which was granted. He's being held and is expected back in court on Friday. Stephen Mikos is president of the New York State Court Officers Association. "This illustrates and highlights what court officers deal with on a daily basis, the dangers of keeping the judges, the employees, the public safe in our courthouses," Mikos said. "We continue to pray for the full recovery of our brother officers. They're all released and home getting better."
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Yahoo
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. More Local News 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,' 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Bloomberg
16-06-2025
- Bloomberg
Two Officers Stabbed in Attack at Manhattan Courthouse
Two New York court officers were wounded Monday after they were slashed at a crowded Manhattan courthouse in an attack that appeared to be focused on law enforcement. The assaults 'appeared preliminarily to be a targeted attack of the uniformed officers working security details at the courthouse,' said Al Baker, a New York State court spokesman.
Fox News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
2 NYC court officers stabbed at site of iconic trials
Two New York City court officers were slashed in what authorities are calling a "targeted attack." It happened in the criminal court building in Lower Manhattan on Monday morning, state Office of Court Administration spokesman Al Baker told Fox News. "Preliminary information indicated that at least two Court Officers suffered stab and slash injuries in the attacks that broke out shortly before 9:45 am in the lobby on the south side of the building," Baker said in a statement. "Several Court Officers immediately rushed to stop the assailant, subduing him near a bank of magnetometers, disarming him, and taking him into custody," he continued. The assaults on the officers were caught on camera and "appeared preliminarily to be a targeted attack of the uniformed officers working security details at the courthouse," Baker said. The stabbings took place beyond the court's metal detectors. It is not known how the weapon made it into the court lobby. One of the officers walked himself to an ambulance and another was taken to a separate ambulance in a wheelchair. Although they are both in stable condition and are expected to recover, the New York State Supreme Court Officers Association told local FOX 5 that one of the officers suffered serious injuries to his face and neck. A criminal investigation led by the New York State Unified Court System is currently underway. The suspect's identity and what charges they may face have not yet been released. The stabbings took place in the same building where President Donald Trump's criminal trial and Daniel Penny's trial took place. In December 2024, Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely.
