A horrifying incident occurred at the Jefferson Street subway station in Bushwick, Brooklyn, when a 62-year-old woman was callously shoved onto the tracks by a man who had asked her for a lighter. The suspect, identified as Shadrach Ford, 30, from Uniondale, Long Island, was apprehended by the police on Friday and now faces charges of attempted murder among others.
The victim was standing on the platform of the L train when the perpetrator approached her and requested a lighter. When she ignored him, he punched her in the face and pushed her onto the tracks. Fortunately, quick-thinking bystanders came to her rescue, pulling her back up to safety before a train arrived. The woman sustained injuries to her ankle and elbow and was taken to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in stable condition.
After less than 12 hours, the authorities released a video of the suspect, describing him as around 5-foot-11, last seen wearing a blue du-rag, a gray shirt, gray pants, and white and pink sneakers. Ford was eventually recognized by vigilant officers at the Broadway Junction station, six stops away, and was taken into custody.
Ford now faces multiple charges including attempted murder, attempted criminally negligent homicide, assault, reckless endangerment, harassment, and criminal trespass. Despite this shocking incident, Ford has no prior arrests in New York City.
This disturbing act of violence on the subway comes on the heels of another troubling incident in Times Square in 2021. Anthonia Egegbara, a mentally ill woman suffering from schizophrenia, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for shoving a commuter into a moving subway car, causing serious injuries. Egegbara had been out on bail for a previous assault at the time of the incident.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers that can be encountered in public spaces and the importance of remaining vigilant and looking out for one another in times of need.
