A shocking incident unfolded in Brooklyn on Saturday when a man allegedly pushed a woman onto the subway tracks and punched another lady in the face. The disturbing attack took place at the R subway line at 53rd Street and Fourth Avenue in Sunset Park around 8:45 a.m. The victims, a 51-year-old woman who was pushed onto the tracks and a 43-year-old who was punched in the face, were both taken to the hospital in stable condition. The woman pushed onto the tracks suffered three broken ribs, while the other victim sustained a busted lip.
The assailant, identified as Curtis Signal, was later arrested at a nearby shelter and charged with reckless endangerment, assault, and harassment. Eyewitnesses described the terrifying scene, with one witness recounting how Signal pushed one woman onto the tracks before turning around and attacking the other lady with punches to her face. Fortunately, other commuters came to the rescue, pulling the woman on the tracks to safety.
Signal, 25, is no stranger to criminal behavior in transit systems and is currently on probation until June 2027. Sources revealed that he had previously assaulted a 67-year-old woman at a subway station in Jamaica, Queens in 2023. He had also been arrested for assaulting a police officer and for attacking a woman at a doctor’s office in Queens.
The latest incident has sparked fear among commuters, with one office worker expressing her concerns about safety while using the subway. The rise in subway crime has been alarming, with assaults increasing by 9% and robberies soaring by 58% compared to the previous year. The recent subway murder in the Bronx further highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures in the city’s transit system.
Despite a decrease in overall crime citywide, the surge in subway-related offenses is a cause for concern. The community is calling for stricter measures to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent such senseless acts of violence from recurring. The city must address the growing issue of subway crime and take decisive action to protect its residents.
