NYC subway slashing leaves rider in critical condition; suspect claims he only scared him
Queens man, 21, Luis Pallchisaca, faces attempted murder and weapon charges after an unprovoked attack at Mets-Willets Point; victim hospitalized in critical condition.
An unprovoked attack on a New York City subway train left a 25-year-old rider in critical condition after he was slashed in the throat and stabbed in the back late Sunday, authorities said. Luis Pallchisaca, 21, was arrested in connection with the assault, which occurred at the Mets-Willets Point station in Queens, police said. Pallchisaca appeared in court Thursday, and Queens Assistant District Attorney Samuel Pellegrino told the judge that Pallchisaca admitted to detectives, “Yes, that's me [in] the picture.” He reportedly confirmed he was wearing the same shirt but later told investigators he did not know the victim. “I just scared someone who was next to me,” he allegedly said.
Gaspar, who was returning home from a shift, was stabbed in the throat from behind and repeatedly punched in the back, authorities said. He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, and a breathing tube remains in his throat due to laryngeal injuries; doctors said he remains unable to swallow and in critical condition as of Thursday. The attack occurred at the Mets-Willets Point stop, which serves Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.
The incident has drawn renewed attention to violence on the city’s transit system, which has been a political flashpoint in recent years. The case follows a separate incident in August in which Iryna Zarutska, a pizzeria worker, was killed on a commuter train near Charlotte; authorities described a similar pattern in which a knife was jammed into the victim’s throat from behind with no warning. In both cases, the suspects were walking free on pending charges, a detail cited by observers and reporters as part of a broader discussion about transit safety and crime policy. Pallchisaca had open assault and theft charges and three arrests in the past 30 days, according to records cited by the New York Post.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Pallchisaca is facing charges of attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the slashing. “As alleged, the defendant mercilessly stabbed the victim in an unprovoked attack and caused life-threatening injuries,” Katz said in a statement. “Our subway system is not a battleground, it is a lifeline for many.”
The case has unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing debate over crime and public safety in New York City. Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD captain, has touted a tougher approach to crime as the city grapples with a resurgent violence problem on transit and in neighborhoods. Adams has faced political headwinds within the Democratic Party, including a primary in which avowed socialist Zohran Mamdani has challenged the incumbent establishment, with other candidates and independents like former Gov. Andrew Cuomo also weighing into the field.
Investigators said Pallchisaca’s case remains under active review, and the NYPD has urged anyone with information to come forward. Authorities emphasized that the subway system serves as a critical transportation lifeline for thousands of New Yorkers and visitors, and stressed the importance of cooperation between riders and law enforcement in addressing violent crimes on trains and at stations. The investigation continues as prosecutors, police and hospital officials coordinate to document the victim’s injuries and the suspect’s interactions with authorities in the days surrounding the attack.
The public safety concerns in this incident come as officials and researchers monitor trends in transit crime and consider policy options aimed at preventing violence while preserving access to affordable, reliable mass transit. The Mets-Willets Point station was specifically cited in court filings and by investigators as the location of the assault, underscoring the reach of the incident beyond a single neighborhood and highlighting the complexity of keeping crowded transit corridors secure in a growing metropolis.
As the case moves through the legal process, prosecutors and defense counsel are expected to present evidence about Pallchisaca’s mental state, prior arrests, and the sequence of events that led to the slashing. The victim’s family, hospital officials, and community leaders will also be watching closely as this case becomes a focal point in the broader conversation about public safety, policing practices, and the balance between civil liberties and community protection in a city that continues to rebound from the disruptions of recent years.