Commuters at Penn Station attempted to fight off their attacker during a June 7 stabbing spree that injured seven people, according to new court documents unsealed Monday. The suspect, Hector Deleon, 51, pleaded not guilty to an 18-count indictment that includes seven counts of attempted murder.
Prosecutors stated that Deleon, who allegedly entered the NJ Transit area of the station, targeted his victims with a double-sided knife. One 60-year-old man, Henry Obadiah, described seeing "rage in his eyes" as he attempted to fend off the attack. Despite his efforts, Deleon allegedly slashed Obadiah in the temple. Another victim, a 42-year-old man, reportedly used his backpack to shield himself from the assault, but was still stabbed in the throat.
Deleon, described by victims as having "rage in his eyes," was arrested at least seven times prior to the Penn Station incident, including for a 2022 stabbing for which he received two years of probation. He was reportedly on probation at the time of the June 7 attack. His wife, Waleska Morales, 48, told The Post that she had been separated from Deleon for three years due to domestic violence. She alleged that DeLeon had physically and verbally abused her.
At his arraignment, Deleon was held without bail by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Curtis Farber and is awaiting a mental health evaluation. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg issued a statement vowing to prevent random violence in the city, stating, "We will not accept this type of random violence anywhere in Manhattan."
If convicted of attempted murder in the second degree, Deleon faces up to 25 years in prison. He is due back in court on July 27.