Man wanted in New York museum stabbing arrested in Philadelphia

Suspected MoMA attacker was tracked down by police after he checked into Philadelphia hotel, local media report

New York City police officers stand guard at the entrance of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on March 12, 2022. - Two people were stabbed at New York's prestigious Museum of Modern Art on SShow more

A man wanted in connection with the stabbing of two employees at New York City's Museum of Modern Art has been apprehended in Philadelphia, authorities told local media on Tuesday.

Gary Cabana was found sleeping on a bench at a Greyhound bus terminal and arrested without incident, 6ABC Action News reported.

“We got information that this individual was also suicidal and was suffering from some mental health issues so we realised he was armed and very dangerous,” Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told the ABC affiliate.

Police tracked down Mr Cabana after he checked into a Best Western hotel in Philadelphia and set a fire in a fifth-floor room earlier in the night, the news station reported.

It is unclear why Mr Cabana was visiting Philadelphia and local police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mr Cabana was wanted by police on suspicion of stabbing two MoMA employees on Saturday after they refused to let him enter the museum, as he had previously been barred for unruly behaviour. Surveillance footage showed the assailant fleeing the museum moments after the stabbing.

The two victims, both women, were taken to hospital after sustaining several stab wounds to their upper bodies. Both are expected to survive, New York police said.

New York police launched a manhunt for Mr Cabana, whom they said was familiar to MoMA staff. He was also known to police from previous incidents of disorderly conduct, including at least one that had been reported at the museum in recent days, police said.