BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) -- First responders hurriedly carried a 45-year-old man on a stretcher, out of a Fordham Heights subway station in the Bronx at around 5 a.m. Friday.
A fatal wound in his torso, police say the result of either a gunshot or a stabbing.
It is the latest act of violence in the transit system, drawing a strong reaction from those who have no choice but to ride the subway.
“I am scared out here. But um, I need to take this D train so I can get to 42nd Street,” said Charisma, who lives in the Bronx.
Detectives say it started when one of the three suspects seen in these surveillance photos sat down very close, next to the victim.
Words were exchanged followed by a physical fight; first one on one and then all three suspects attacked before one of them either fatally stabbed or shot the victim.
NYPD Assistant Chief Jerry O’Sullivan says the medical examiner’s office is set to determine the exact cause of death.
“We do know that the victim was not the primary aggressor in this case. So, we are not 100% sure on the motive, but that will be coming out in our investigation,” said Chief O’Sullivan.
The suspects then fled the train as it pulled into the station.
Fortunately, the entire incident was caught on a newly installed discreet, train car surveillance camera.
MTA Chief Janno Lieber says more than a 1, 000, 15% of the system’s 6,600, subway cars are now equipped with cameras.
“So, while today we are recognizing a really, really upsetting episode that makes riders feel unsafe, I am hopeful, and I am determined, along with this mayor, that we are going to make progress,” said Leiber.
NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper says violent crime is down for February.
But on the heels of several high profile, violent incidents either on trains or subway platforms he adds the department has added more than a thousand police officers daily to subway patrols.
“I am very confident that identification and arrests will be made in the near future.”
We recognize people’s concerns. Trust me, we do. It concerns us also. Matter of fact, we ended January up 45% in crime versus the year before. But 45% was driven in large part by grand larcenies. And look, we have taken these couple of tragic events. But take them aside – crime is down. Overall crime is down in the month of February,” said Chief Kemper.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
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