A violent subway attack in Brooklyn has led former TikTok executive Gideon Moncrieffe to sue the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), claiming the agency’s negligence contributed to the assault. Moncrieffe was slashed in the face while riding a C train on May 10, 2023, leaving him with severe injuries and lasting emotional trauma.
Moncrieffe, who was TikTok’s head of global event production at the time, stepped in to diffuse a heated argument between Sean Lewis, a rider with a violent past, and another passenger. Despite Moncrieffe’s attempt to de-escalate the situation, Lewis turned violent, slashing him across the face with a sharp object. The wound required more than 100 stitches to close.
The lawsuit alleges the MTA failed to protect passengers by neglecting to enforce safety policies and respond adequately to emergencies. Moncrieffe claims the conductor locked the train doors during the incident, leaving him confined with the attacker. He describes the attack as the “foreseeable result of systemic negligence” by the MTA.
Lewis, who had a history of violent arrests, pleaded guilty to the assault in August and was sentenced to seven years in prison. However, questions remain about whether he was banned from the subway at the time of the attack. MTA Chief Security Officer Michael Kemper has disputed the claim, stating Lewis had not been banned prior to the incident.
The lawsuit also highlights broader concerns about subway safety amid rising violence. Moncrieffe argues the MTA failed to address safety risks and calls for reforms, including consistent enforcement of prohibited rider policies and improved emergency response protocols.
Moncrieffe, who now suffers from PTSD and depression, says the trauma of the attack has upended his life, including the unraveling of his engagement. He is seeking damages and calling for urgent changes to protect passengers from similar tragedies.
