NEW YORK, N.Y. – The NYPD is looking for a suspect accused of attacking a 49-year-old man with a gardening tool aboard a subway train in Lower Manhattan.
The unusual assault happened at approximately 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 while the victim was aboard a northbound A/C train near Fulton Street and Nassau Street, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers.
Police said an unidentified person swung the gardening tool at the rider, striking him in the hand and legs. The Crime Stoppers alert did not identify the specific type of gardening tool used or explain what happened immediately before the attack.
Gardening Tool Used in Subway Attack
Few details about the encounter have been released beyond the basic sequence described by investigators.
Police did not say whether the suspect and victim knew one another, whether there had been an argument or whether investigators believe the attack was random. No motive was included in the public appeal.
The alert also did not provide the victim’s medical condition or say whether he was taken to a hospital.
- The attack happened around 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 aboard a northbound A/C train.
- A 49-year-old man was struck in his hand and legs with what police described as a gardening tool.
- The NYPD is asking the public for information as investigators try to identify the attacker.
The location given by police — near Fulton Street and Nassau Street — places the incident in Lower Manhattan, inside one of New York City‘s busiest transit areas.
What kind of gardening tool was used in the subway attack?
Police have not said. The NYPD Crime Stoppers notice described the object only as a “gardening tool,” so it would be premature to identify it more specifically.
Police Release Public Appeal for Information
The NYPD issued its public appeal weeks after the Aug. 9 attack as detectives continued trying to identify the person responsible.
Anyone who witnessed the assault, recognizes the wanted individual or has information that could help investigators is being asked to contact police.
Tips can be submitted through the NYPD Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Crime Stoppers accepts information anonymously.
Was the victim hospitalized?
The NYPD’s public alert did not say. Police disclosed that the 49-year-old was struck in the hand and legs but did not provide further information about his injuries or treatment.
Questions Remain About What Led to the Attack
Unlike some Crime Stoppers notices that describe an argument, robbery or other confrontation leading up to an assault, the NYPD’s announcement provides no such explanation in this case.
That leaves several important details unanswered, including whether the men interacted before the attack and where the suspect went afterward.
Police have classified the case as an assault investigation and are seeking the public’s assistance.
Has anyone been arrested for the A/C train attack?
No arrest was announced in the Crime Stoppers alert. The NYPD continues to seek information about the unidentified person wanted in connection with the assault.
Sources: NYPD Crime Stoppers; NYPD Crime Stoppers tip portal
