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2 NYPD officers injured in incident involving man with meat cleaver (PHOTOS, VIDEO) 2 NYPD officers injured in incident involving man with meat cleaver (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
(35 minutes later)
A man wielding a meat cleaver was shot by a NYPD police officer near Penn Station in New York City. Two policemen were injured in the incident and rushed to a hospital.A man wielding a meat cleaver was shot by a NYPD police officer near Penn Station in New York City. Two policemen were injured in the incident and rushed to a hospital.
Gunshots were heard on 32nd street between Sixth and Seventh avenues in New York around 5:00pm in Midtown. Police and SWAT teams locked down the area.Gunshots were heard on 32nd street between Sixth and Seventh avenues in New York around 5:00pm in Midtown. Police and SWAT teams locked down the area.
The NYPD told RT that the DCPI is on the scene in Midtown Manhattan, and is yet to report back about how the incident transpired.“Two officers were injured. They are both stable, and being treated at Bellevue Hospital,” police said.  New York City Police Commissioner, Bill Bratton, told reporters that three officers fired 18 shots at the cleaver-wielding man after he attacked officers.
"The officers fired sufficient rounds to stop the attack,” said the official.
He also said that the suspect, identified as Akram Joudeh, hit an officer with the weapon inflicting a six inch gash from temple to jaw, NBC reported.
“Two officers were injured. They are both stable, and being treated at Bellevue Hospital,” the NYPD had earlier told RT adding that DCPI is on the scene in Midtown Manhattan.
NYPD Spokesperson J. Peter Donald confirmed that the suspect had a meat cleaver and was shot by the officers.NYPD Spokesperson J. Peter Donald confirmed that the suspect had a meat cleaver and was shot by the officers.
He also confirmed that at least one officer was injured with the weapon in the attack and is now receiving medical treatment.He also confirmed that at least one officer was injured with the weapon in the attack and is now receiving medical treatment.
According to witness testimonies gathered by NY Daily News, NYPD officers were called in to a busy Midtown area just before 5:00pm when witnesses reported seeing a man with a beard, wearing sandals, running and waving a meat cleaver in his hand.According to witness testimonies gathered by NY Daily News, NYPD officers were called in to a busy Midtown area just before 5:00pm when witnesses reported seeing a man with a beard, wearing sandals, running and waving a meat cleaver in his hand.
“He was running down the street waving it,” an MTA worker told the publication. “The cops were chasing him.”“He was running down the street waving it,” an MTA worker told the publication. “The cops were chasing him.”
Officers, who reportedly had an off-duty detective among them, cornered the man on 32nd Street and ordered told him to drop the weapon. Officers, who reportedly had an off-duty detective among them, cornered the man on 32nd Street and ordered told him to drop the weapon. 
"Drop it! Drop it!” NYPD told the armed man repeatedly, according to witnesses. The suspect refused."Drop it! Drop it!” NYPD told the armed man repeatedly, according to witnesses. The suspect refused.
NY Daily news reported that the officers initially used a Taser on the man, which had no effect on him, according to a high-ranking police source. A tussle followed, during which a detective reportedly tried to knock the weapon from the suspect's hand.NY Daily news reported that the officers initially used a Taser on the man, which had no effect on him, according to a high-ranking police source. A tussle followed, during which a detective reportedly tried to knock the weapon from the suspect's hand.
That is when the suspect struck the cop in the head. The man was later shot by police. That is when the suspect struck the cop in the head. The man was later shot by police. 
“They shot him up,” one witness told the news outlet. “He was hit five or six times. He was laid up on the sidewalk. It looked like he was dead.”“They shot him up,” one witness told the news outlet. “He was hit five or six times. He was laid up on the sidewalk. It looked like he was dead.”
The perpetrator of the attack was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, Pix 11 News reports.The perpetrator of the attack was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, Pix 11 News reports.
Meanwhile, NBC News reported that Akram Joudeh from Queens, NY, was known to the police with his 15 prior arrests, including one on August 27 after he was found carrying knives near a synagogue.
Meanwhile, NBC News reported that sources identified the attacker as Akram Joudeh from Queens, NY. This information has not been confirmed by the authorities.
Periscope tweet from @lyndseyrathburn showed an ambulance leaving the scene with at least three helicopter circling above. The street is cordoned off with a large police presence.Periscope tweet from @lyndseyrathburn showed an ambulance leaving the scene with at least three helicopter circling above. The street is cordoned off with a large police presence.