A yeshiva in Lakewood, New Jersey was evacuated Thursday night, after a man wielding a machete threatened students at the entrance of the building, The Lakewood Scoop reported. The incident occurred at Yeshiva Toras Chesed, near the intersection of 10th and Monmouth, when the suspect approached a group of students while brandishing what appeared to be a machete, or a large knife. The students fled into the building, with the suspect initially pursuing them up the stairs. Police were called to the scene, and the yeshiva was evacuated while authorities combed the building for the suspect, who apparently fled the area sometime during the initial chase. Lakewood police have launched an investigation into the incident, with officers remaining at the yeshiva to secure the building and to interview witnesses. The incident comes just days after 19-year-old Maine resident Trevor Bickford was arrested after he attacked New York City police officers with a machete on New Year’s Eve. Bickford had written up an Islamist manifesto prior to the attack, ordering his family to “repent to Allah and accept Islam.” Three officers were wounded in the attack, and Bickford has been charged with attempted murder and attempted assault.
