New York City cop attacked with hatchet, suspect killed

NEW YORK -- A hatchet-wielding man was shot and killed Thursday, after allegedly attacking a New York City police officer, CBS New York reports.

The suspect walked up to a group of uniformed officers around 2 p.m., allegedly without warning, and attacked, police said.

"Just total chaos, gunshots, the guy pulled out an ax. It was just chaos," one witness said.

The attack occurred in the commercial district in the borough of Queens at about 2 p.m., while four rookie New York Police Department officers on foot patrol were posing for a photo, police said. Without a word, the man charged the officers and began swinging the hatchet, first hitting one in the arm and another in the back of the head, they said.

The officer was slashed in the head and taken to Jamaica Hospital in Queens.

Another officer at the scene fired several rounds hitting the suspect, who died at the scene, police said.

The injured officer was in critical but stable condition and was expected to undergo surgery. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

A female bystander, who was accidentally struck by a police round, was also taken to Jamaica Hospital, according to CBS New York.

A motive for the attack on police is not known.