Man Charged in Christmas Eve Assault on Two Individuals at Grand Central Station in Manhattan

NEW YORK—A man has been charged with assault and menacing after allegedly using a knife to attack a man and a woman at Manhattan’s Grand Central subway station on Wednesday.

Authorities reported that the individual was arrested for various offenses, including assault, reckless endangerment, menacing, harassment, disorderly conduct, and a weapons violation following the incident at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday. The attack resulted in a wrist injury for a 42-year-old man and a neck injury for a 26-year-old woman, according to police.

Both victims are currently in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital, as stated by the police.

It remains unclear who will represent the suspect in court.

This incident heightened ongoing concerns about subway safety, especially following the arrest of another man on Sunday, accused of setting a woman on fire on a subway car. The woman succumbed to her injuries.

Mayor Eric Adams commented to reporters in Harlem that the suspect has a documented history of mental illness.

The New York Post reported that the woman who was attacked stated she had just exited the No. 4 train on her way to work when she was assaulted.

According to the newspaper, she recounted that she was knocked to the ground as her assailant shouted, “what’s your problem?” before lunging at her with a small knife, inflicting a cut on her throat.

This attack took place just hours after another suspect faced charges in a Brooklyn criminal court for allegedly burning a woman to death aboard a New York City subway train.

Sebastian Zapeta, 33, identified by federal immigration officials as a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. unlawfully, did not enter a plea or speak during his hearing and is currently held at Rikers Island jail. He is expected to return to court on Friday, and his lawyer has not yet sought bail.