Local authorities said the MoMa, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, was emptied after two employees were stabbed on Saturday.
At a news conference, a New York Police Department spokesman said a man walked toward the two at the box office after he was denied entry to the building.
He held an annual pass to enter the facilities that had expired and refused to buy a new ticket to enter the Museum of Modern Art.
MoMa is one of the most visited museums in New York and houses work by more than 70,000 artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Salvador Dalí, and Picasso.
Police officers in front of the MoMa in New York on March 12, 2022 – Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters
According to police, the suspect is already known due to “previous incidents” – one of which is inside the museum. He managed to escape after the attack.
The staff was quickly rushed to the hospital and their lives are not in danger.
New York Mayor Eric Adams said on social media he was following up on the case and thanked emergency services for the quick response to the victims.
Traffic has been blocked on the streets around the museum, and reports from visitors on social media show the moment they had to leave the venue.
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