Tragic Incident at Grand Central Station
A man identified as Anthony Griffin, 44, went on a violent rampage with a machete at Grand Central Station, slashing three subway riders before being shot by police. Griffin, who referred to himself as “Lucifer,” had a passion for rap and frequently incorporated religious themes into his lyrics, often performing under the name “Fox 5.”
Instagram photos from almost a year prior to the attack displayed Griffin posing with a large knife, with friends noting that he carried a machete for personal protection and acknowledging his struggles with mental health.
In an April 2025 video, he expressed feelings of exhaustion, telling viewers, “I’m tired… Messiah is tired, brother.” He reflected on age, questioning, “What happened to 33-year-old Jesus?”
In another rap video from the same month, he boasted about living freely, declaring, “even if I smell death around the corner…that’s far from my persona. I’m God, no.” Repeatedly, he proclaimed, “I’m gonna blow the devil out, he can’t stop this level up.”
Griffin’s lyrics hinted at a struggle with his identity, as he mentioned waiting for a moment of revelation amidst feelings of abandonment by divine figures.
According to police, Griffin, with a criminal history of at least 13 arrests, attacked three elderly individuals on the subway platforms around 9:50 a.m. on April 11. After refusing to drop the machete despite being ordered to do so multiple times, he was eventually shot by two NYPD detectives.
Many in the rap community expressed disbelief about Griffin’s actions, including fellow Bronx rapper Mickey Facts, who stated, “That’s not him. That’s not Foxx saying ‘Lucifer.'” He expressed sadness over Griffin’s deteriorating mental health, recalling him as a lively individual who loved his community.
Griffin, known on social media as “almighty_gawdflow,” often shared his religious musings online. His last video appeared almost a year ago, and he had previously posted a photo of himself with a machete in January 2025. Friends mentioned that, although he often carried the knife for safety, he was battling mental health challenges.
In past years, Griffin continued to perform for small audiences. In a YouTube video from January 2023, he reflected on his journey in hip-hop, stating, “Hip-hop chose me. I didn’t choose hip-hop,” emphasizing his connection to music as a form of expression.
Griffin, who had a presence in early 2000s hip-hop scenes, collaborated with various artists since meeting Mickey Facts in 2010. Facts remarked on Griffin’s vibrant energy, saying, “He attracted a lot of people with his own conduct.” However, he also noted a troubling decline in Griffin’s mental state in recent years, stating that many who knew him were taken aback by this change.
