Six people were stabbed to death in New York City’s subway system on Saturday. The first attack occurred just hours after Eric Adams, Mayor of New York and Gov. Authorities said Kathy Hochul presented a new plan for combating violence on public transit.
Five people were stabbed to death in the subway system just 24 hours after Adams & Hochul published a 17-page Subway Safety Plan. This plan will see more police officers and mental health professionals deployed throughout the subway system beginning Monday.
According to the New York Police Department, a sixth victim was stabbed on Sunday night at the 6 line near Canal Street.
According to NBC New York, a male victim in the first incident was allegedly slashed in his forearm. It was reported on Friday evening. Police said that he was stable and taken to hospital.
According to police, there were at least four incidents reported on Saturday. One suspect was accused of punching a woman aged 20 in the back right before 3:00 p.m. After a verbal argument, the man pulled out a knife to stab the woman three more times in her abdomen.
In stable condition, the woman was transferred to a local hospital. As of Monday morning, her condition was not immediately known.
A 24-year-old male victim was also stabbed in his leg with a boxcutter. This happened after two teenagers approached him and tried to rob him. Police said that the suspects fled from the scene.
An additional stabbing occurred at 9 p.m. after another suspect allegedly started smoking an unknown substance. The suspect is accused of pointing a knife at the victim before stabbing him in the arm. According to the NYPD, the victim was treated at a local hospital for a puncture injury but was otherwise stable.
According to NBC New York , the weekend attacks occurred as New York City struggles with rising crime on public transit. Major crimes have risen by 65% this year.
These stabbings occurred amid protests over public transit safety after Michelle Go’s death, a 40 year-old woman who was shoved in front a New York subway train last month.
Go was allegedly attacked by Simon Martial, a homeless man. She was waiting at Times Square station for a train when she was pushed from behind.
Adams and Hochul announced Friday that their new safety plan would address public safety issues and support those experiencing homelessness or serious mental illness in New York City’s subways. They also cracked down on people who sleep across multiple seats, exhibit aggressive behavior towards passengers, and create an “unsanitary environment” in the subway system.
Adams stated in a statement that “It is cruel to allow unhoused persons to live on the subway. It is unfair to pay passengers and transit workers who should have a clean and orderly environment.” These days are gone when people turn a blind eye at this growing problem.
Hochul also stated that the disinvestment in our mental health system has been a problem for too long. He added that the pandemic has made it harder for New Yorkers suffering from serious mental illness and who are homeless.
She stated that “We must all work together to keep New York City’s subways safe for all riders and to provide help and assistance to those who are in need.”
CORRECTION (Feb. 21, 20,22, 11:41 AM. ET): Michelle Go was murdered and a photo caption in an earlier version of this article did not reflect that fact. It was last week, not last month.
