A stabbing inside New York’s Penn Station injured six people Sunday evening, bringing new attention to the crowded transit hub beneath Madison Square Garden.
The location has also been pulled into celebrity coverage because TMZ has reported that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are expected to marry at Madison Square Garden on July 3.
Police have not reported any connection between the Penn Station attack and Swift, Kelce, or any celebrity event. The confirmed public-safety facts come from the station itself: six people were hurt, a suspect was taken into custody, and authorities had not immediately released a motive.
The timing added another layer around Madison Square Garden, where New York was already preparing for heavy security before Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
Six People Were Hurt Inside Penn Station
The Associated Press reported that the attack happened around 7 p.m. Sunday inside Penn Station.
Paramedics found one victim with serious injuries, two with moderate injuries, and two with minor injuries, according to the city’s fire department. Five victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital, while another person was transported to a different hospital.
Authorities had not immediately said what led to the stabbing or whether the victims were targeted.
Amtrak police said a suspect was in custody, but officials had not immediately released the person’s identity or information about possible charges.
Madison Square Garden Was Already Preparing for Heavy Security
Penn Station sits beneath Madison Square Garden and serves Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit, and New York City subway riders.
The attack happened one night before the Knicks were scheduled to host the Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.
Reuters reported that pedestrian access around the arena would be restricted Monday because President Donald Trump planned to attend the game.
The NYPD said people would not be allowed inside the secure area around Madison Square Garden unless they had a ticket to the game, a train ticket, business in the area, credentials, or another authorized reason to enter.
TMZ Connected the Location to Swift and Kelce Wedding Reports
TMZ framed the Penn Station attack around its earlier reporting that Swift and Kelce are expected to marry at Madison Square Garden.
The outlet reported on June 5 that more than 1,000 people are expected at the event and that security plans include the NYPD and private companies.
LiveNOW from Fox later noted that TMZ had reported a July 3 wedding somewhere in Midtown Manhattan, while also saying Madison Square Garden had not been officially confirmed.
Swift and Kelce have not publicly confirmed a Madison Square Garden wedding in the checked reporting, and law enforcement has not tied the Penn Station stabbing to the couple.
The Confirmed Security Issue Is Bigger Than the Wedding Rumor
The strongest confirmed angle is the overlap between a violent incident inside Penn Station and a high-security week around Madison Square Garden.
Reuters reported that people entering the secure area for the NBA Finals game would face screening, limited entry points, and a no-bag policy.
The Secret Service urged ticket holders to arrive early because of the added security around Trump’s attendance.
Authorities had not immediately said whether Sunday’s stabbing would change the security plan for the game.
Police Have Not Named a Motive
The investigation into the Penn Station attack was still active after the suspect was taken into custody.
AP reported that the scene near Tracks 5 and 6 remained marked by emergency medical materials after the attack.
No public police statement in the checked reporting connected the stabbing to Madison Square Garden events, the NBA Finals, Trump’s planned attendance, or the reported Swift-Kelce wedding.