2 Employees Stabbed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City: Police [PHOTOS]

moma stabbings

Twitter Moma stabbings were reported

Two employees were stabbed inside the Museum of Modern Art, known as MoMA, in New York City on Saturday, March 12, 2022. You can see photos and videos from MoMA throughout this article from the scene.

The Associated Press named the suspect as Gary Joe Cabana, 60. He was also named by New York City CrimeStoppers. Police say he was upset that he was denied membership to see a film because of past disorderly conduct incidents at the museum.

NYPD

“NYC: Do you know him? Earlier today, inside the @MuseumModernArt he stabbed a 24-year-old male employee and a 24-year-old female employee then fled. Both victims are in stable condition at an area hospital. If you have any information, contact @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS,” NYPD News tweeted.

Here’s what you need to know:


Surveillance Video Shows Cabana Leaping Over the Reception Area, Police Say

Police released surveillance video, which you can see above, and which they say shows Cabana going behind a museum counter to stab the two employees.

John Miller, NYPD deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism, said in a news conference that Cabana entered the room and presented his membership card. It had expired as a result of “two incidents involving disorderly conduct at the museum” on two different dates.

He became upset at being denied entrance, leaped over the reception desk, and stabbed two employees multiple times, in the back, back of the neck, and the collarbone, Miller said, adding that the workers were rushed to the hospital. Both will be okay, Miller said.

He is a white male, wearing a jacket and surgical mask with a colorful patterned shirt and a hood, Miller said.


Cabana Showed Up at the Museum to See a Film, According to Police

gary cabana

FacebookGary Joe Cabana

The individual “is known to us,” and police are trying to locate him, Miller said. He said Cabana has never been an employee at the museum, but was a public member of the museum and a “regular.”

“This was a rapidly unfolding, spontaneous incident,” said Miller. He doesn’t have a previous arrest history, but he was known to police due to the two previous incidents, Miller said.

“The letter revoking his membership went out” the day before the stabbing, but he showed up anyway to try to see a film, said Miller.

The stabbings come amidst growing concern about rising crime in New York City, especially in public venues like the subway system. The motive for this attack is not yet clear.

“#moma just evacuated–lots of cops rushing in, but no alarms going off,” Lars Jacobson wrote on Twitter.

According to Buzzfeed, the women are employees of MoMA, and they are in stable condition at a hospital.

“We were evacuated at the MoMA, two people were stabbed,” a woman wrote on Twitter.


3. The Stabbings Caused Chaos Inside the Museum

According to the New York Post, the stabbings caused a “chaotic scene” as people rushed for the exits, but police sources told the newspaper the women’s injuries “were not life-threatening.”

The New York Post described the suspect as “a man wearing a black hoodie.” He was not yet identified.

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Videos also emerged showing people evacuating the museum. A woman wrote on Twitter, “#MOMA ready to head out when police storms in yelling to RUN not Walk… hopefully all safe.”

One Twitter user posted photos from inside MoMA, writing, “I’m in MoMA, and some accident was happened (I don’t know what was happened). All of guest was kicked out from museum. There is a lot of polices and ambulance. Be careful, everyone.”

NBC New York reported that the stabbings occurred around 4 p.m. inside the museum. The television station also reported that the suspect “is known to police” but did not say for what.


People Expressed Shock at the Reports

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One person on Twitter wrote, “Just got evacuated from the MoMa and saw at least two women carried out on stretchers. Shots heard on the 1st floor.”

The report of shots being fired has not been confirmed by authorities. Early reports in such fast-breaking situations are sometimes wrong.

Police were posted at the entrance of the museum.


A man wrote on Twitter, “MoMA – Only in New York can you get stabbed while checking out some modern art at the #MoMA! That’s exactly what happened today. Two people were stabbed at the museum. Not much art appreciation today… Whatever happened to #MetalDetectors?”

The museum’s about us page explains, “At The Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1, we celebrate creativity, openness, tolerance, and generosity. We aim to be inclusive places— both onsite and online—where diverse cultural, artistic, social, and political positions are welcome. We’re committed to sharing the most thought-provoking modern and contemporary art, and hope you will join us in exploring the art, ideas, and issues of our time.”

MoMA is located at 11 West 53rd Street in Manhattan. It is one of New York City’s best-known cultural attractions.

The victims’ identities and the exact circumstances of the stabbings have not yet been released by authorities.

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