Midtown subway stabbings prompt police search as city vows safety measures

Two separate subway stabbings occurred within about an hour Saturday in Midtown Manhattan, prompting a police manhunt for a suspect described as a light-skinned man with a slim build who was wearing all gray and a beanie hat.

In the first incident, a 38-year-old man was stabbed in the torso while riding a southbound 6 train at Grand Central Station around 5 p.m. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition, according to police, who said the victim and the assailant were involved in a dispute prior to the attack. Investigators did not immediately disclose a motive or release information about a possible connection to other recent incidents, and there was no immediate update on whether a weapon was recovered at the scene.

Hours later, authorities said, another stabbing occurred on the ACE line at the 42nd Street station around 6:11 p.m. A 15-year-old boy was slashed in the arm by another teen wearing a brown jacket, according to police. The suspect fled after the attack, and information about further suspects or connections to the earlier incident remained under investigation. Police recovered the knife at the 42nd Street stop, and investigators said they were reviewing surveillance video and speaking with witnesses to determine what prompted the confrontation.

In addition to the Midtown incidents, authorities noted a prior stabbing on the Upper West Side on Friday when a man was attacked while waiting for a train. The 23-year-old victim, who was waiting on the northbound 1 train at 96th Street and Broadway around 7 p.m., suffered a back wound after a dispute with a stranger. He was treated at Mt. Sinai-Morningside Hospital in stable condition, and officials said the knife was recovered at the scene. Police said the suspect fled; investigators were seeking tips from the public as they pursued possible links to the weekend Midtown attacks. There was also mention earlier in the month of a separate teenager being stabbed on the ACE line, underscoring a concerning pattern for several weeks.

These incidents have contributed to a month marked by repeated knife attacks on New York City’s subway system, prompting renewed calls for enhanced safety measures in transit hubs and trains. City officials have cautioned that while crime in the subway has shown fluctuations, the pattern of violence has raised anxiety among riders and workers who rely on the system daily. Authorities stressed that there is no immediate indication that the weekend incidents are part of a single, organized event, but they emphasized vigilance and urged anyone with information to contact police.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, addressing the issue in recent remarks, pledged $77 million to maintain the presence of NYPD officers in the subway system in 2026. The administration cited statistics showing that subway crime had fallen to its lowest level in 16 years and that overall transit crime was roughly 15% lower than in 2019. Hochul’s plan aims to sustain patrols and other safety measures amid ongoing concerns about rider safety and the need for rapid response capabilities in stations across the city.

Officials from the NYPD and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said investigations are ongoing and urged the public to remain vigilant. They noted the importance of detailed descriptions and timely information from witnesses to help identify suspects. Police reminded riders that if they see any suspicious activity, they should alert transit personnel or dial emergency services. As investigators review surveillance footage and canvass neighborhoods near Grand Central and 42nd Street, there was no immediate declaration of arrests, underscoring how swiftly evolving leads require careful verification before public statements can be made.