Two court officers were stabbed and slashed by an apparently emotionally disturbed man at Manhattan Criminal Court Monday morning in what authorities called a “targeted attack.”
When Jonathan Vohl, 37, first arrived at the courthouse about 9:44 a.m., he lined up at a metal detector and started the process of having his belongings scanned inside the courthouse lobby at 100 Centre St., surveillance video obtained by the Daily News shows.
But then he charged through the scanning station, prompting a clash with court officers, the video shows. Off camera, Vohl allegedly charged a officer with a 4-inch curved blade folding knife, slashing and stabbing him in the face, sources said. Another officer was stabbed four times in the back and shoulder.
A third court officer suffered broken ribs when he was slammed into a barrier trying to stop Vohl. Two other court officers suffered minor injuries.
One court officer — who was wearing a ballistic shield — avoided injuries as he tackled Vohl to the ground. Vohl allegedly tried to stab the officer, who had knife marks on his shield, sources said.
At some point during the altercation, Vohl allegedly asked cops “why didn’t you shoot me?” according to a law enforcement source.
The assailant was then subdued and arrested as about a dozen court officers converged on him, the video shows.
The officers are not believed to have been badly hurt and were released from Bellevue Hospital Monday evening. Vohl was put on psychological evaluation at Bellevue; charges against him were pending.
Vohl has 18 prior arrests but has not served any time in state prison. He did not have a court date Monday, and the motive for the attack is not clear.
An Office of Court Administration spokesman said the assault “appeared preliminarily to be a targeted attack of the uniformed officers working the security detail at the courthouse.”
And Patrick Cullen, president of the State Supreme Court Officers Association, said the attack happened within days of the union noting a dearth of applicants to work as court officers, with 35% of the positions unfilled.
“What will it take for court leaders to take the appropriate action to secure these facilities?” Cullen asked. “Our members aren’t safe and neither is the public.”
Originally Published: June 16, 2025 at 10:41 AM EDT
