Brooklyn, New York — A female subway conductor was punched in the face and robbed of her train keys during a disturbing on-duty attack at a busy Brooklyn station Sunday afternoon, raising renewed concerns about transit worker safety across New York City.
According to the New York City Police Department, the incident happened just before 3 p.m. on a southbound C train stopped at the Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets station. The 31-year-old conductor was inside the train cab making a service announcement when a man suddenly lunged forward and punched her through the cab window.
Police said the attacker struck the conductor directly in the face, causing visible swelling. In the moments of chaos that followed, the suspect managed to steal her train keys before fleeing the station on foot.
Victim Treated at Hospital, Suspect Remains at Large
The injured conductor was transported to Brookdale Hospital for treatment. Authorities said her injuries were non-life-threatening, but the assault has left fellow transit workers shaken.
The suspect is described as a heavyset male in his early 20s, last seen wearing a black hoodie and a surgical mask. He was also reportedly carrying several shopping bags at the time of the attack. As of Monday, no arrests had been announced.
Stealing a conductor’s train keys is considered especially serious, as the keys provide access to operational controls and other secured transit areas.
Attack Comes Days After Subway Safety Funding Announcement
The incident occurred less than a week after Kathy Hochul announced a $77 million investment aimed at increasing police presence throughout the subway system.
The funding, according to state officials, is designed to support more than 600 NYPD officers per day in transit hubs across the city. Hochul said the additional patrols were intended to reduce rider anxiety and strengthen enforcement during peak travel hours.
“These funds will help ensure people can ride the subways without fear,” Hochul said at the time, noting that overall subway crime had reportedly fallen to its lowest level in 16 years.
Recent Stabbings Raise Questions About Transit Safety
Despite those assurances, the attack on the conductor follows a string of violent incidents reported in the transit system over the past several days.
Police confirmed that at least four separate stabbings have occurred recently:
- A 23-year-old man was stabbed in the back at the 96th Street and Broadway station
- A 40-year-old man was stabbed multiple times aboard an R train
- A 38-year-old man was stabbed in the torso at Grand Central Station
- A 15-year-old boy was slashed in the arm during an altercation at the 42nd Street station
None of the incidents appear to be connected, but together they have intensified concerns among riders and transit employees.
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Transit Workers Call for Stronger Protections
Transit unions have repeatedly warned that conductors, operators, and station agents remain vulnerable to sudden attacks, particularly during service disruptions when emotions can run high.
Sunday’s assault underscores those concerns, as the conductor was performing her job duties and communicating with passengers when she was attacked.
Investigators continue to review surveillance footage from the station and surrounding areas in hopes of identifying the suspect.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact authorities.
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