An NYPD officer was attacked by a man with a meat cleaver

A man was shot after attacking a New York police officer with a meat cleaver outside Penn Station in New York City on Thursday, a police spokesman said.

Two officers are being treated for injuries — one with a laceration on his face and one with a graze wound from the ensuing shooting, ABC7 New York reported. They are both expected to survive.

Police reportedly shot the suspect multiple times, and he was taken to a local hospital. He is in critical condition, according to ABC7.

Law-enforcement officials identified the attacker as Akram Joudah, a New York resident who has been arrested 15 times before, NBC4 New York reported.

Witnesses immediately crowded the area surrounding the Midtown Manhattan commuter hub and posted photos and footage of the scene to social media.

The attack reportedly began when officers approached the knife-wielding man and told him to put down his weapon. The man refused and got into an altercation with the officers.

The FBI is sending Joint Terrorism Task Force agents to the scene as a precaution, NBC4 reported.

Four other officers were taken to the hospital to be evaluated for trauma, according to NBC4.

 This story is developing. It will be updated as more details emerge.

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