KEY POINTS

  • Attacker spat on the man before pulling his hair and repeatedly punching him
  • Cops released the footage urging public to come forward with informaton on suspect
  • The incident is investigated as a hate crime after the attacker used an anti-gay slur

Police are on the lookout for a suspect who violently attacked a 22-year-old man on a New York City subway train. The NYPD is investigating the incident as a hate crime and released footage of the attack Wednesday night.

The incident took place on March 19 at around 2:20 p.m. when the victim was aboard an uptown A train approaching the 190th St. subway station. The suspect approached the man and sat down next to him, according to NY Daily News.

“I wish I had my pepper spray,” the suspect told the victim before spitting on him.

“I have to start carrying my pepper spray,” the assailant added and then spat at the victim again, cops said. The victim then stood up and was attacked by the suspect, who used an anti-gay slur.

Police said the assailant “charged” at him and “grabbed him by the hair before punching him several times in the face and head.”

“The perpetrator then ripped hair from the victim's head and stated 'I'm sick of all you f—,’” cops added, according to ABC News.

the police department further revealed that the victim lost hair during the attack and was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital with cuts on his head. He was in stable condition following the attack.

The attacker fled from the scene and is on the NYPD’s search radar.

The city is alarmed by a spate of recent subway attacks, including a separate attack where a 47-year-old man was slashed on the arm Wednesday afternoon. Police presence in subways has been increased to curb crimes since Mayor Eric Adams took office this year.

"While we are by no means out of the woods, and there is a lot of progress that needs to be made on subway safety, I just want to acknowledge that the work has begun," MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said at an MTA board meeting Wednesday. "Serious effort is underway."

The public was urged to come forward with information that could lead to the suspects’ arrests. One can contact NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 or at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org.

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Representative image Credit: Pixabay / b2267969
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