A man was arrested following a brutal stabbing incident during rush hour on a New York City subway that left two people injured and passengers in shock. The attack occurred around 5:45 p.m. on a southbound A train near the West 4th Street–Washington Square station in Manhattan, during one of the busiest times of the day.
According to the NYPD, the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jerome Walker, allegedly attacked two men with a knife during an argument that escalated quickly while the train was in motion. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as commuters scrambled for safety while Walker pulled out a blade and began slashing the victims.
The two victims, ages 28 and 52, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. One suffered lacerations to the arm, while the other had cuts to the shoulder and back. Both were taken to Bellevue Hospital and are expected to recover.
Transit police and NYPD officers responded within minutes, apprehending Walker on the subway platform after a brief struggle. A bloody knife was recovered at the scene, and Walker was taken into custody without further incident. He is now facing multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and reckless endangerment.
Authorities said Walker has a history of mental illness and prior arrests for assault and weapons possession. Police are investigating whether the stabbing was random or if the suspect had previous contact with the victims.
“This kind of violence is unacceptable and terrifying for New Yorkers who rely on the subway system every day,” said NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper. “We’re increasing patrols during peak hours and working with mental health teams to better respond to these incidents.”
The incident reignites ongoing concerns about public safety in the city’s subway system. In recent months, city officials have launched initiatives to place more officers and crisis response teams in stations and trains, especially during high-traffic periods.
Mayor Eric Adams responded to the incident, stating, “We must ensure that our subways are safe for every rider. Incidents like this remind us of the urgent need for mental health reform and a stronger law enforcement presence underground.”
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