Knife-wielding maniac who attacked NYC court officers often targeted them: sources

A knife-wielding maniac who stabbed two Manhattan court officers – coming within a half-inch of one of their carotid arteries – has been antagonizing law enforcement for years, The Post has learned. 

Jonathan Wohl, who was caught on shocking video savagely stabbing the two officers in Manhattan Criminal Court Monday, has filed more than seven complaints against NYPD officers and other internal complaints against court officers, law enforcement sources and officials said.

The complaints that were investigated were made at the Civilian Complaint Review Board, the city’s independent police watchdog, with each containing dozens of gripes against NYPD officers — accusing cops of physical force, obstruction of a shield number, refusal to obtain medical attention and refusal to take a civilian complaint among others.

Most of the complaints were not substantiated and he was “not considered a victim,” according to a source familiar with the process.

Wohl also slapped the NYPD and more than two dozen cops with a $1 million lawsuit in 2023 alleging false arrest after he was picked up for trespassing, according to court documents.

The suit remains active in State Supreme Court.

“We have had so many issues with him over the past two or three years,” a law enforcement source said.

Wohl is so well known at 100 Centre St. in Manhattan — the site of Monday’s stabbing — that the court officers working the building’s perimeter that morning called to warn their coworkers inside that he was on his way in.

But the supervising officer wasn’t able to spread the word fast enough, the source said. 

“He wiped his feet on the floor mat,” the source continued. “He walked up to the table and was kind of fidgeting with his personal stuff.”

But after no more than 10 seconds Wohl charged through the metal detector and swung his knife at an officer, cutting him in the face, the source said.

He then turned his attention to the second officer.

“(Wohl) had to have taken five or six stabbing motions,” leaving the officer with the deep neck gash, the source said.

The officers, who were both hospitalized, are now home recovering.

“They know what it could have been so that’s alarming to everybody,” the source said.

Wohl, who had no official business in court that day, was carrying papers with the words “Give me liberty or give me death” and ranting about the court system and police, prosecutors said in court Tuesday.

He is holed up in Rikers Island on assault and attempted murder charges.

“He shouldn’t see the light of day for a long time – if at all,” the source said.

A message left on a number for Wohl’s attorney wasn’t returned.