A 31-year-old passenger was shot and wounded on a New York City subway early Sunday morning after attempting to intervene in a heated argument between a man and his girlfriend. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. on an uptown train at East 86th Street and Lexington Avenue, as reported by the New York Post.
According to law enforcement, the suspect was engaged in a dispute with his girlfriend when the victim tried to step in. The confrontation escalated, and the suspect pulled out a gun, shooting the passenger in the left hand before fleeing the scene. The suspect has not yet been identified or apprehended.
The injured passenger was transported to Cornell Hospital and is listed in stable condition. His identity has not been released. The New York Police Department is currently investigating the incident. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has roped off the train for “scheduled maintenance” as part of the ongoing investigation.
This incident adds to the rising violence in New York City’s subway system. Last year, former Marine Daniel Penny faced manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges after intervening when a homeless man was harassing passengers. Penny subdued the man, who ultimately died. His trial is set to begin in October.
In response to increasing subway violence, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans in March to deploy National Guardsmen to search subway riders’ bags for “deadly weapons” as part of a 5-point plan to enhance public safety on the city’s subways. This initiative aims to address the “brazen heinous attacks” occurring in the subway system.
The NYPD continues to seek information regarding the suspect involved in Sunday’s shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact the authorities as the city grapples with ongoing concerns about subway safety and security.
