Man in stabbing at port authority pleads guilty to attempted murder

A man who stabbed a 65-year-old carpenter nine times in the back and neck in an unprovoked attack at the Port Authority in April has pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

Michael McCloskey, 42, was arrested by port police while still holding the knife he used to stab a carpenter on his way to work. He is expected to be sentenced to 13 years in prison next month, according to District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

The victim was sitting on a bench in front of a Hudson News booth waiting for a friend at around 5:40 a.m. on April 22, 2024, when McCloskey approached him from behind and stabbed him nine times in the neck, back and arm for no reason, police and court records show.

The carpenter, who was taken to Bellevue Hospital, suffered multiple cuts, stab wounds and was in considerable pain. His wounds required approximately 47 stitches.

Port Police patrol officers heard the screams, ran to the scene and arrested McCloskey, who was standing over the carpenter with a knife in his hand.

Bragg thanked the Port Authority Police Department, particularly Officer Jordan Eugenis and Officer Antonio Peterson for their quick arrival on the scene, Detective Kevin Horowitz and Detective Alberto Barrera for their diligent investigation following McCloskey's arrest, and Lieutenant Amy Desthers for her leadership and efforts to facilitate interagency cooperation. He also thanked the additional officers who responded and rendered aid to the victim and the Northwell Health paramedics who treated the victim at the scene.

“Today, Michael McCloskey was held accountable for the unprovoked attack on a man at a public, crowded transit hub,” Bragg said. “While the victim has fortunately recovered, he must live with the physical scars left by this attack. We will continue to treat harmful conduct toward commuters with the seriousness it deserves, and I thank our prosecutors for this good outcome in court.”