Man Charged Following Slashing On Uptown D Train
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man was charged with assault late Friday, after the repeated slashing of a passenger on the D Train in Midtown.
Michael McKenzie, 44, of the Bronx, was arrested and charged Friday night, police said.
As CBS2's Alice Gainer reported, sources told CBS2 the suspect in the Thursday morning incident walked into a hospital in the Bronx Friday morning, and police were called because the man was acting irrationally.
Sources also said the man told police he had been on TV, but claimed police had it all wrong.
The slashing happened around 10:15 a.m. Thursday while both men were riding an uptown D train near the 42nd Street-Bryant Park stop.
"We actually have a perp in custody on that. It wasn't in Bryant Park. It was downstairs at 42 and Sixth in the subway. We have a perpetrator in custody at this time," said police Commissioner James O'Neill.
Witnesses said the suspect was heard saying to the victim, "What are you looking at?" Then, witnesses said, the suspect lunged at the victim with what police described as a box cutter.
"He was sliced with blood on his face his shirt," witness Theresa Harrington said.
"He was bleeding everywhere," said witness Alex Sastoque.
The suspect was described by investigators as a black man between the ages of 30 and 40, 6' to 6'5" tall and around 240 pounds. He was wearing a dark-colored long sleeved shirt and dark-colored pants.
"I just feel sympathy for the guy because he was bleeding and it's kind of crazy," Pa Yabaou, who works nearby, told CBS2's Andrea Grymes.
Despite having lacerations to his face, chest, stomach and hands, police said the 38-year-old victim tried to catch his attacker when they both got off at 42nd Street.
"The male did get off the train, followed the perpetrator who slashed him up to the street area, where he got away," said NYPD Transit Bureau Assistant Chief Vincent Coogan.
Trains were temporarily re-routed Thursday as police investigated. Police said the victim was taken to the hospital and his condition was stable, and they said they recovered a box cutter at the scene.
Riders Friday morning called the attack an isolated incident.
"Typically, I feel safe," one straphanger said. "I think it's important to stay aware."
"It's very unfortunate but you always have to be aware," another said.
