The suspect who was shot and killed at Ithaca Police Headquarters has been identified.

Police said the shooting happened after Michael Decastro, 57, of Ithaca, walked into the lobby of the headquarters and attacked an officer with a large knife — described as a butcher knife with a nine-inch blade.

The incident, which happened over 20 seconds, took place around 6:30 a.m. Saturday.

Police said it appears the incident was a random attack and the officer had no relationship to Decastro.

The identity of the officer not yet released.

"From all accounts, this has all the appearance of a completely random and unprovoked vicious attack on a police officer," said Ithaca Police Chief Dennis Nayor.

"This unprovoked attack ended in tragedy, and I'm praying for the family of the deceased,” Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick said on Facebook. “And I hope you'll join me in praying for our officers and their families. They put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and that often makes them targets for the unstable."

Police anticipate releasing security video of the incident in the near future.