An NYPD rookie is in critical condition and another police officer is in stable condition after being attacked by a man wielding a hatchet on a Queens street Thursday, police said.

Two other officers fired on the man, stopping the attack. The assailant was pronounced dead at the scene. A female bystander was also struck by a bullet and suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect "charged at the officers with a hatchet in his hand," Bratton said. "Unprovoked and not speaking a word, the male then swung at one of the officers with a hatchet, striking his right arm. After striking that officer, the suspect continuing swinging the hatchet, striking a second officer in the head."



Following the attacks on uniformed soldiers in Canada on Wednesday, the NYPD issued a warning for officers to be in a heightened state of awareness.

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[link to www.nbcnewyork.com]