NEW YORK – A fatal stabbing occurred in the New York City subway system on Friday morning, claiming the life of a 38-year-old man following an altercation regarding a shoe-stepping incident, police reported. This tragic event marks the first recorded homicide in the subway this year.
The incident unfolded at the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall subway station in lower Manhattan. Shortly after 8:30 a.m., authorities arrived following an emergency call reporting a stabbing. Upon arrival, they discovered the victim, who had sustained multiple stab wounds to his torso. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, where he was declared deceased, according to the police.
The victim has been identified as John Sheldon from Brooklyn, though earlier reports inaccurately named him as Sheldon John. Police are actively searching for the suspect, described as a man in his 20s or 30s, dressed in black and wearing black headphones.
Authorities detailed that the altercation began on a subway train when another passenger accidentally stepped on Sheldon’s shoes, leading to an argument. The confrontation escalated, resulting in Sheldon being stabbed both on the train and as the two individuals exited at the station.
Earlier this month, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch highlighted the absence of homicides in the subway system during the first quarter of the year, a milestone not achieved in seven years. Moreover, crime rates in the transit system from January to March had dipped to the second-lowest level recorded in 27 years.
Though generally rare, violent crimes in the subway have occasionally captured public attention due to a few high-profile incidents, including instances where a woman was set on fire and others were pushed onto the tracks. These events have left some commuters feeling apprehensive.
Recently, the Trump administration issued a warning to the city, threatening to withdraw federal funding unless a comprehensive plan was devised to tackle crime in the transit system.
City officials countered by emphasizing existing strategies aimed at reducing subway crime and cited statistics reflecting a downward trend in crime rates.