Attacker to police officers in New York asked his family to repent to Allah

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – The attacker to police officers in New York city on new year`s eve asked his family to repent to Allah and join Islam.

“New York Post’ reported Trevor Bickford, 19, attacked three police officers with a machete on Manhattan, New York.

The injured police officers were taken to hospital and the attacker was shot in shoulder.

Bickford is one of three children and had worked in a nearby country club as a groundskeeper.

A handwritten note found in Pickford`s backpack urged his family to “please repent to Allah and accept Islam .”

“To my family — specifically, mother —  I’m sorry for not having been a good enough son,” the note read

“I fear greatly that you will not repent to Allah,” it said. “And therefore I hold hope in my heart that a piece of you believes so that you may be taken out to the hellfire.

“To [my brother] Travis. Of anyone I’ve known who I have felt is closest to faith — it’s you,” he allegedly wrote. “Of anyone I’ve ever wanted to accept Islam with me — it’s you. Please repent to Allah and accept Islam. I fear for you.

Addressing his other brother — who sources said is in the Marines — the suspect allegedly wrote, “To Devon, there was a time when we were close, but that time has passed. You have joined the ranks of my enemy. And for that I can give you no kind words – return to Allah.”

Bickford, of Wells, Maine, is believed to have “found religion” in recent years following the death of his father, Tom, from an overdose in 2018 at the age of 41.

Sources said Bickford became “radicalized” as recently as a month ago. Bickford’s radical shift put him on the FBI radar before he hopped an Amtrak train and traveled to New York, arriving on Dec. 29, according to sources.

According to reports, Bickford once appeared to be a typical American teenager who played on a championship football team at Wells High School, won an art award in school for his jewelry and made the honor roll as a freshman.