MANHATTAN, NY – An incident of violence broke out on the Manhattan subway system as a commuter was stabbed with a screwdriver on Thursday night. The attack unfolded around 10 p.m. within the vicinity of the 59th Street-Columbus Circle station on a southbound 1 train.
The 61-year-old victim was stabbed in two places- his lip and his head, according to law enforcement. Before being transported to Mount Sinai West for treatment, the man was spotted with a bandage around his head. He is expected to recover from his injuries.
Authorities are now on the hunt for the perpetrator who managed to escape the scene. The suspect was last seen wearing a surgical mask. This violent event has sparked conversations among local residents about ensuring safety on the subway. Washington Heights resident Ben Venette expressed his concern over feeling safe while traveling.
Riders are advocating for an increase in patrol on the subway. Robert Caravallo, a Bronx resident who works night shifts, emphasized the constant possibility of an incident occurring. Another rider, Joan Earett from Uptown, cited the importance of addressing mental health problems so that incidents like this can be prevented.
NYPD records reveal a slight rise in transit crime by 5.7% this October compared to last year, but overall, crime has reported a 3.9% downturn year-to-date. Senior Vice President of Subways at New York City Transit, Demetrius Crichlow, reacted to the incident by denouncing it as “senseless and unacceptable”. He expressed gratitude for no serious injuries and assured the NYPD of full cooperation from their transit security camera team in apprehending the perpetrator.
Authorities urge anyone with relevant information about this attack to get in touch with the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline, assuring that all calls will be treated confidentially.