Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Pushing Commuter onto NYC Subway Tracks

New York City’s subway system became the scene of another horrifying attack on Tuesday when a 23-year-old man allegedly shoved a commuter onto the tracks in front of an approaching train at the 18th Street station in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. The assailant, Kamel Hawkins, has been charged with attempted murder for the assault, which left the victim severely injured but miraculously alive.

The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on the southbound No. 1 train platform. Hawkins allegedly pushed a 45-year-old man directly into the path of an oncoming train. Passengers on board described the moment with a mix of horror and disbelief.

“All of a sudden there was an abrupt stop,” said Violet Paley, a passenger on the train. “Because of everything I’ve been seeing on the news, the first thing that came to my mind was that someone probably got pushed in front of the subway, which is such a dark thought.”

After roughly 10 minutes, Paley recounted, emergency personnel evacuated the train and rescued the man from under it. Despite his severe injuries, including head trauma and a broken rib, the victim was conscious and is expected to survive. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital for treatment.

This attack is just the latest in a string of violent incidents on New York City subways, casting doubt on claims by Governor Kathy Hochul about improving subway safety. On December 22, Hochul had boasted about efforts to make subways safer through measures like deploying the National Guard, adding cameras to subway cars, and collaborating with the NYPD.

However, Hochul’s optimism was met with sharp criticism, as that same day saw three separate brutal incidents:

• A woman burned alive in Brooklyn while the suspect watched.

• A man fatally stabbed in the chest and another stabbed in the face during an altercation in Queens.

“Two hours ago, Kathy Hochul took a victory lap for making subways ‘safer,’” said Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “She congratulates herself on the same day two subway riders were stabbed in Queens and another was barbarically burned alive. Has there ever been a more tone-deaf Governor in the history of New York?”

Tuesday’s attack has reignited a growing debate about public safety in New York City and whether Hochul’s policies are effectively addressing the violence plaguing the subway system. Critics argue that while ridership may be increasing, public confidence in safety is far from restored.

The city’s subway system, long a symbol of its vibrancy, is becoming a flashpoint in the larger discussion about law enforcement, mental health, and the effectiveness of policy responses.

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