UPDATE: Police are actively searching for a subway attacker who slashed two men in the face in a shocking incident in Kew Gardens, Queens, on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. The assaults occurred around 3:20 p.m. at the southbound platform of the E and F trains at the Union Turnpike subway station.
According to the NYPD, a 42-year-old man was attacked first, suffering a slash to the forehead as the assailant approached him from behind. Just moments later, a 50-year-old man was also targeted by the same suspect. Both victims were transported to local hospitals and are reported to be in stable condition.
Witnesses described the attacks as “random,” with police confirming that no words were exchanged between the victims and the assailant before the violence erupted. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
This incident highlights a troubling trend in New York City’s subway system, which has seen a rise in bizarre and violent occurrences. In a separate incident earlier this week, a man attacked a woman with a tree branch at a subway station in Brooklyn, and a more serious altercation involved a man assaulting a good Samaritan who tried to intervene in a confrontation.
While the overall crime rate in the subway system is reported to be down by 4%, the number of assaults this year has surged to 509, surpassing last year’s figures by nine incidents at this time.
The public is urged to remain vigilant, as police continue their search for the suspect. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NYPD. The urgency of these developments calls for immediate community awareness and action.
As the investigation unfolds, residents of New York City are left shaken, questioning their safety in a system that is meant to be a reliable mode of transportation. Officials stress that the community must stay informed and proactive in these uncertain times.
