A 45-year-old man pushed into the path of an oncoming subway train in Manhattan narrowly escaped death on Tuesday.
A video circulating on social media shows a man standing close to the edge of the platform behind a couple of fare evaders, and another man approaching and casually shoving him in front of an incoming train.
The victim was rescued by first responders who went between the stopped subway cars to bring him out and thereafter take him to Bellevue Hospital.
The victim though in a stable condition but reportedly suffered broken ribs and a fractured skull.
Less than an hour after the attack, a suspect identified as Kamel Hawkins of Brooklyn was in custody.
The 23-year-old suspect was apprehended at 59th Street and has been charged with attempted murder and assault as a felony.
Hawkins, according to the NYP, has 9 prior arrests. On October 12th, 2024 he was charged with assault, harassment and weapons possession.
In June of 2019 he was charged with the assault of an NYPD officer, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct.
A feel eyewitness who spoke with the local media recounted: “I actually got a very weird vibe from him, I don’t know if it was the way he dressed. He had a facemask on. He had his hood up, made eye contact with him and just got a very weird vibe. So I just immediately sat down on the bench.”
Andrea ran to call 911. Cameras had already picked up the suspect and he was arrested quickly nearby.
Police believe the attack was random, they say he did not know the victim and said nothing to him before pushing him in front of the train.