Man Cuts Woman's Face in Brooklyn Subway Station Amid Rising Assaults
A dispute over a subway exit door led to a knife attack as overall transit crime continues to climb.
A 70-year-old man was taken into custody Saturday after allegedly cutting a 68-year-old woman’s face with a knife following an argument at the Sheepshead Bay B and Q subway station in Brooklyn.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on the mezzanine level of the station. Police reported that the dispute began when the man, who was holding open an emergency exit door, encountered the woman. The man then allegedly produced a knife and cut the victim’s face, causing bleeding.
The assailant fled the scene on a southbound Q train. Authorities later apprehended a person of interest, with charges pending.
The victim declined medical attention at the scene. Police noted that individuals sometimes hold emergency exit doors open to solicit money from arriving passengers.
This attack occurs as assaults within New York City’s transit system are on the rise. According to NYPD data as of October 13, felony assaults in the subway system have increased by 12%, from 470 incidents last year to 525 this year. Misdemeanor assaults have seen a 16% increase, rising from 1,120 to 1,304.
Compared to two years ago, felony assaults are up 18%, and misdemeanor assaults are up 11%. Over a seven-year period, felony assaults have surged by 94%, and misdemeanor assaults by 25%.
Overall transit crime has risen by 2% this year. However, arrests within the transit system have decreased by 5%, with 22,847 arrests made so far this year compared to 23,977 during the same period last year.
