Six people were injured in a stabbing at New York's Penn Station around 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, according to authorities. The attack occurred one day before thousands of fans were expected to converge on the adjacent Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. A suspect was taken into custody at the scene, according to Amtrak police, who are leading the investigation.

Six injured, one seriously: the toll at Penn Station

The New York Police Department reported that among the five victims initially found, one suffered serious injuries, two sustained moderate injuries, and two had minor injuries. All five were transported to Bellevue Hospital. A sixth victim, whose condition was not immediately disclosed, was taken to a separate medical facility. The attack took place near Tracks 5 and 6, where medical gloves and blood marked the floor after paramedics departed.

According to the source report, authorities have not released details about the motives behind the stabbing or whether the victims were specifically targeted.

Why 1999 is the last time MSG hosted an NBA Finals

Monday night's Game 3 marks the first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999, as reported by the source. The Knicks' return to the championship stage after a 26-year absence has already driven massive demand for tickets and heightened media attention . The stabbing at the transit hub directly below the arena underscores the security challenges of hosting a major sporting event in a densely packed urban environment.

The incident echoes other high-profile security threats at Penn Station in recent years, including a 2017 bombing attmept in a subway corridor. In 2024, a similar stabbing near the Long Island Rail Road concourse injured three passengers, though that suspect was quickly detained.

Trump's attendance and the Secret Service overlay

Adding to the security complexity, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to attend the game, as the source noted. This has prompted coordination among the Secret Service, the New York Police Department,and other agencies around Madison Square Garden and the surrounding blocks. Authorities have not indicated whether the Penn Station stabbing will alter the existing security protocols for the game.

Trump's presence at a packed arena already on high alert introduces additioanl layers of protection — including secure entry points,counter-surveillance teams, and traffic restrictions — that could strain resources normally focused on crowd control and mass transit safety.

What Amtrak police haven't said about the suspect

Amtrak police confirmed they have taken a suspect into custody but did not release the individual's identity or specify potential charges. As the source reports,it remains unclear whether the suspect acted alone or had accomplices. The motive, and whether the attack was connected to the NBA Finals or the former president's visit, is still unconfirmed.

The lack of information about the supect leaves open several critical questions: What prompted the stabbing? Was the suspect known to law enforcement? And why did the attack occur in an area already under heavy surveillance due to the upcoming game?

According to the source report, the immediate turmoil had subsided by late Sunday, leaving a somber atmosphere at the station. Travelers passed a roped-off area near Tracks 5 and 6, where traces of the violence remained visible.