The suspect was a member of the museum, who was known to staff, police said.
Two people were stabbed inside the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan Saturday afternoon by a man who recently had his membership revoked, police said.
The unidentified 60-year-old suspect allegedly jumped over the reception desk when he was denied entrance into the museum and stabbed the employees in the back, collarbone and back of the neck around 4:15 p.m., the New York Police Department said.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller told reporters a letter was sent to the suspect revoking his membership Friday.
“He’s known to employees here,” Miller told reporters at a news conference Saturday. It is not believed to be a random attack, he said.
The unidentified victims were transported to Bellevue Hospital and listed in stable condition, according to the police.
The suspect fled the museum and was caught on camera, according to Miller. Officers were still looking for him and the investigation was ongoing, according to police.
Miller said the man’s membership was revoked due to two recent incidents of disorderly conduct, but didn’t provide more information.
He also said the suspect was connected to two other incidents in the midtown area, but wouldn’t go into details.
Fabien Levy, a spokesman for Mayor Eric Adams, said the mayor is monitoring the situation and also said the incident is isolated.
“Neither victim is suffering from life-threatening injuries at this time,” he tweeted.
MoMA, which opened in 1929, is one of the most popular museums in New York City. It is located on 53rd Street in the heart of midtown Manhattan.