Who was Kamel Hawkins: Understanding the NYC subway shove attack suspect
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The New Year’s Eve incident happened at the 18th Street station in Manhattan’s trendy Chelsea neighborhood around 1:40 p.m., according to the NYPD.
The victim was standing near the edge of the platform when the suspect came up from behind and pushed him onto the southbound tracks just before the train passed by, surveillance video showed.
Kamel Hawkins, 23, was also charged with second-degree assault after he allegedly pushed a stranger onto the tracks at the 18th Street station around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, police said.
Kamel Hawkins was charged with attempted murder. |
The incident, captured on video, showed Hawkins walking near the edge of the platform while the victim was looking at his phone. Without warning, Hawkins pushed the man onto the tracks, and the victim was hit by an incoming train. Miraculously, the 45-year-old man survived with just a head injury.
Shocking Shove Subway Attack in Manhattan |
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Bystanders shouted, "He's alive!" as firefighters rescued the injured man from between the subway cars.
Hawkins, who has had previous encounters with the NYPD, was arrested hours later near Columbus Circle. He had been charged with assault in 2019 for attacking a police officer and has an open case in Brooklyn for assault, harassment, and weapons possession from an incident in October.
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said, "Anyone who attacks a cop in full uniform is capable of doing far worse to defenseless civilians."
A terrifying incident unfolded in Manhattan when a 45-year-old man was pushed onto the subway tracks and struck by an incoming 1 train at the 18th Street station. The attack, deemed random by police, was captured on chilling surveillance footage and has left the victim in critical but stable condition. |