Man Dead After Being Pushed ‘Unprovoked’ Onto N.Y.C. Subway Track, Suspect in Custody

Ingrid Vasquez
·2 min read
3

The NYPD tells PEOPLE the victim was pronounced dead at the scene

<p>Getty</p> Stock image of a New York subway car approaching a station

Getty

Stock image of a New York subway car approaching a station

A man died after being pushed onto the train tracks of a New York City subway station on Monday evening.

A representative for the New York City Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that a man died after being pushed onto the train tracks in East Harlem's 125th St. station shortly before 7:00 p.m. local time.

The NYPD tells PEOPLE the act was "unprovoked," adding that the train could not stop in time and struck the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, a 24-year-old male, is now in custody, NYPD says.

A representative for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority tells PEOPLE that "there were northbound service delays for approximately two hours due to trains that normally run on two tracks between Grand Central and 125th Street having to operate on a single track."

<p>Getty</p> Stock image of doors open on a New York subway train

Getty

Stock image of doors open on a New York subway train

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Regular service "resumed with residual delays" at 8:43 p.m., per the MTA representative.

In February, the NYPD reported a "15.4 percent drop in crime compared to the same month a year ago" after increasing its presence at subway stations across N.Y.C.

"To combat an earlier spike in Transit crime, the NYPD in February surged upward of 1,000 police officers per day into the nation’s largest and most-traveled subway system," a press release states.

<p>Getty</p> Stock image of a digital screen to swipe pass on New York subway station

Getty

Stock image of a digital screen to swipe pass on New York subway station

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Crimes on the subway are also an issue that New York Governor Kathy Hochul is tackling.

She announced her "five-point plan" earlier in March which includes "enhanced baggage checks at heavily trafficked areas," new cameras inside conductor cabins, and "a new program bill that would permit transit bans for individuals that assault other passengers."

"My five-point plan will rid our subways of violent offenders and protect all commuters and transit workers. I am sending a message to all New Yorkers: I will not stop working to keep you safe and restore your peace of mind whenever you walk through those turnstiles," Hochul said in a statement.

The MTA has also taken action to improve rider experience on its buses by installing new high-definition LCD screens on over 100 buses.

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According to a press release, the pilot program will "continuously stream live video feeds from existing security camera infrastructure onboard buses."

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