Man pushed onto subway tracks as bystanders watch in horror
- Jamar Banks is accused of two separate stabbings that occurred on January 1 and January 2, 2025.
- Both victims were hospitalized but are reported to be in stable condition following their attacks.
- Governor Kathy Hochul is addressing subway violence and plans to propose new mental health legislation.
In New York City, authorities have launched an investigation into two separate stabbings that occurred within the subway system involving a suspect named Jamar Banks. The first incident took place on a northbound 2 train at the 14th Street and Seventh Avenue station in Manhattan. Around 9:40 a.m. on a Wednesday, Banks allegedly confronted a 31-year-old man from behind, leading to a heated argument. He then pulled out a knife and stabbed the man in the back before exiting the train and fleeing the scene. The victim sustained injuries but was reported in stable condition after being hospitalized. The second stabbing occurred approximately a day later, on Thursday at 6:10 a.m., this time at the Pelham Parkway station in the Bronx. During this attack, Banks approached an off-duty MTA employee standing on the northbound 5 train platform. Following another argument, he stabbed the employee in the armpit and the back before escaping once more. Like the first victim, this man was also taken to a local hospital and was listed in stable condition. Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed her concerns regarding rising violence within the subway system, mentioning that many offenders might be influenced by untreated mental illnesses. In her statement, she emphasized the need for better care for those suffering from severe mental health issues, as well as for public safety on city streets and subways. She plans to include new legislation regarding involuntary commitment laws in her upcoming executive budget. Furthermore, plans are set to allocate $1 billion towards improving mental health care facilities. Meanwhile, as the city addresses these violent incidents, a separate attack drew attention when a man was pushed onto subway tracks on New Year's Eve. The suspect in this case was apprehended shortly after the incident and faces charges of attempted murder and assault. These incidents underline the growing concerns over safety in New York City's subway and the challenges posed by mental health issues among various suspects. Together, they illustrate an urgent need for comprehensive solutions to ensure the safety of commuters in the city’s transit system.