Subway stabbing on No. 7 train leaves worker hospitalized; suspect captured in smiling surveillance image, at large
A 25-year-old Manhattan restaurant employee was stabbed on a No. 7 train at the 111th Street station in Queens. A surveillance image shows the suspect smiling; police say the attacker remains at large as of Tuesday.
A random stabbing on a New York City subway left a 25-year-old Manhattan restaurant worker hospitalized after he was attacked on a No. 7 train at the 111th Street station in Corona, Queens, late Sunday night. Police said the assailant approached from behind, stabbed the victim once in the neck and twice in the back with an unknown sharp object, then fled the car. A surveillance image released by authorities shows the unidentified attacker smiling broadly on board the train. As of Tuesday, investigators said the suspect remained at large.
The victim, Roberto Gaspar, was on his way home from a long shift when the attack occurred. He was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens Hospital, where his friend said Gaspar was on a ventilator and unable to speak. The friend described Gaspar as serious and in the intensive care unit, with doctors unsure whether he will regain the ability to talk.
Gaspar, who is originally from Guatemala, has lived in the United States for seven to eight years and supports his family back home. He has four sisters, one of whom also resides in New York City, according to people close to him. Gaspar typically works 10-hour shifts five days a week at a Manhattan restaurant, where he performs multiple roles from cooking to cleaning to dishwashing, and often adds a sixth day during busy periods to send money home to his parents and three other sisters. He rides the subway to and from work and was headed home when the attack occurred.
His friend, Tomas Calel, described Gaspar as a quiet, hard-working person who does not seek trouble and simply wants to sleep after long workdays. Calel said he is angry about what happened and wants the person responsible caught. He added that the image of the smiling suspect is troubling, noting that the attacker did not appear concerned about the harm caused to Gaspar.
Authorities have provided few details about the motive, emphasizing that the attack appears to be random. The assailant, captured in the surveillance image, was last known to be on the loose as of Tuesday. Investigators asked anyone with information to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or via the NYPD Tips X account @NYPDTips.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety on the city’s subway system, where commuters have long voiced anxiety about late-night travel. Calel said the food-service worker’s family and friends are rallying to support him as hospital staff monitor his condition and provide updates on his recovery prospects.
Gaspar’s friends and coworkers described him as a dependable worker who regularly goes the extra mile for his family. The extended shift pattern and weekday routine reflecting his commitment to earning money for relatives overseas paint a portrait of a man who prioritizes family support alongside his own livelihood. The investigation continues as detectives review surveillance materials, train timings, and boarding patterns to establish a clearer sequence of events and identify potential partners or witnesses who might help locate the suspect.
As investigators pursue leads, Gaspar’s family prepares for the possibility of a long road to recovery. Calel said Gaspar’s sister, who lives in the city, has been crying and fearful for her brother’s safety, and the family is leaning on supportive friends and the hospital staff to navigate the next steps. Transit riders and workers alike watch for any updates on the suspect’s identity and possible motive, while authorities emphasize that tips from the public remain a crucial component of the case.
The NYPD has urged anyone with information to come forward, reiterating that the suspect is not in custody and can be identified through the released surveillance image. Community members have been asked to report anything that seems out of the ordinary on public transit, particularly on late-night routes where Gaspar was traveling. If someone has seen a person matching the image or has other information about the incident, they are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers via the listed channels.
People who rely on the No. 7 line for their commutes have said they will remain vigilant and seek assurances from city officials that safety measures are being reviewed and enhanced. City officials have not announced new safety protocols in connection with this specific incident, but the broader conversation about subway security continues to be a topic of public discourse and policy discussion as investigators work toward a resolution.
