An unexpectedly tall man was randomly attacked with a knife outside a subway station in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, in what police are describing as another disturbing case in a recent string of unprovoked assaults across New York City’s transit system.
The incident occurred shortly after 9:00 p.m. on Sunday near the entrance to the Delancey Street–Essex Street station, according to the NYPD. The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was approached by an unknown assailant who suddenly slashed him across the face without warning before fleeing on foot.
Emergency responders transported the victim to Bellevue Hospital, where he was treated for a deep facial wound requiring multiple stitches. Police said the injuries were non-life-threatening, and the man is expected to recover.
Authorities described the suspect as a male in his 30s wearing dark clothing and a hooded sweatshirt. Security footage from nearby businesses and subway cameras is being reviewed to help identify the attacker.
This incident comes amid a broader rise in subway-related assaults reported throughout the city in recent months, raising concerns about passenger safety. Transit advocates and city officials have called for increased police patrols in key stations and on trains, especially during nighttime hours.
A spokesperson for the NYPD Transit Bureau stated, “We take all acts of violence in and around our transit system seriously. Detectives are actively investigating this case and urge anyone with information to come forward.”
The random nature of the attack has left residents shaken. “It’s frightening,” said one commuter who witnessed the aftermath. “You never think something like that could happen for no reason, right where people come and go every day.”
Police have urged the public to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS with any information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest.
