Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of JONATHAN WOHL, 37, for an alleged calculated attack on New York State Court Officers inside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. WOHL is charged with two counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree; three counts of Attempted Assault in the First Degree; three counts of Attempted Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer; five counts of Assault in the Second Degree; and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. [1]

“Court officers have the incredibly challenging job of keeping everyone in our courthouses safe, including judges, staff, attorneys, victims, witnesses, the public, and those facing criminal charges. From staffing the main entrances to dozens of individual court parts, they are a universal presence and keep our system moving. We have absolutely no tolerance for any attack on their safety, and the significant charges in this indictment reflect the seriousness with which we are treating this matter,” said District Attorney Bragg.

According to court documents and statements made on the record, on June 16, 2025, at approximately 9:45 a.m., WOHL entered the courthouse and put his bag on the security conveyor. When the closest court officer briefly turned away, WOHL charged the metal detectors with his bag and withdrew a folding knife.

He allegedly cut the first officer twice on the face and knocked him back ten feet. WOHL then charged at the next-closest officer, who attempted to shield himself with a metal detector tray. WOHL allegedly cut the officer on the face and on the side of the neck, and then stabbed him in the upper back five times.

Another court officer was able to tackle WOHL and others rushed toward him. WOHL continued to struggle and allegedly stabbed a third officer in the back of his vest. One sergeant suffered broken ribs, and another sustained bruising. He was eventually subdued and arrested.

The officers’ injuries were minimized by their vests and the fact that the blade was curved.

The defendant possessed handwritten notes indicating animosity towards the court system, judges, prosecutors, and police.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant D.A.s Taylor Holland and Katelyn Damanis, under the supervision of Harrison Schweiloch and Annie Siegel (Deputy Chiefs of Trial Bureau 60), Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Investigators Daniel Walker and Justin Reid are also assisting with the case.

D.A. Bragg thanked Det. David Esparragoza of the NYPD’s 5th Precinct Squad and all of the court officers who responded to the attack.

Defendant Information:
JONATHAN WOHL
Paterson, NJ

Charged:

• Attempted Murder in the First Degree, a class A-I felony, two counts
• Attempted Assault in the First Degree; a class C felony, three counts
• Attempted Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer, a class C felony, three counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, five counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count

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