Off-duty NYPD officer pushed onto subway tracks; suspect charged with attempted murder
Authorities say the officer, 24, remained in stable condition after the confrontation at the Third Avenue L station; Aaron Walker, 28, is in custody on multiple charges.
An off-duty New York City police officer was pushed onto the subway tracks at the Third Avenue station on the L line in Manhattan Tuesday evening, according to police sources. The 24-year-old victim suffered pain to his head and body and was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition. The man accused of pushing him, Aaron Walker, 28, also fell onto the tracks during the confrontation.
Walker, whose last known address was a Harlem homeless shelter, was arrested at Union Square Station after boarding an uptown train, sources said. He faces a slate of charges, including attempted murder, attempted assault, attempted reckless endangerment, two counts of criminal trespassing, and two counts of disorderly conduct.
Authorities described the incident as occurring shortly before 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at a busy East Village station, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety in New York City's subway system and the vulnerability of transit riders. The suspect was taken into custody after hopping on an uptown train and being arrested at Union Square Station, police said.
The incident comes as city and state officials have been debating transit safety funding and homelessness policy amid rising concerns about crime in public spaces. Officials said the victim was transported to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition, and the suspect remained in custody on the listed charges.
Walker is charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, attempted reckless endangerment, two counts of criminal trespassing, and two counts of disorderly conduct, according to police.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, and authorities have not released further motive or details. Transit safety and homelessness policy are among the topics being discussed by city and state lawmakers as they examine how best to address crime and safety in urban centers.