According to officials, one victim sustained serious injuries while four others suffered minor injuries. A sixth person was taken to another hospital, though their condition has not been disclosed.
The injured were transported to Bellevue Hospital, and authorities said none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
A suspect has been taken into custody, law enforcement officials confirmed. Witnesses told WCBS that officers used pepper spray before tackling the suspect and restraining him at the scene.
“They had to get other cops in order to grab him,” one witness said, while another described the suspect as “screaming and waving his head around.”
The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Penn Station under spotlight
Penn Station is one of New York City’s busiest transport hubs, connecting subway services, commuter rail lines from New Jersey and Long Island, and Amtrak intercity routes.
Authorities said train services were not disrupted following the incident.
Official reactions
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul expressed concern over the attack, saying her thoughts were with the victims and their families.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he had been briefed on the incident and confirmed that six people were stabbed.
“I’ve been briefed on the horrific stabbing at Penn Station. Based on the information available right now, six people were stabbed and the alleged perpetrator is in custody following a swift response from the Amtrak Police Department,” Mamdani wrote on X.
He added that he was grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their swift action in apprehending the suspect and providing emergency assistance.
Heightened security concerns
The incident comes amid heightened security in New York ahead of major sporting events at Madison Square Garden, which is set to host upcoming NBA Finals games.
Authorities are also expected to maintain increased vigilance as the city prepares for large international sporting events in the coming weeks.