Brooklyn subway assault highlights spike in NYC transit crime

A 68-year-old woman was injured after being cut in the face with a knife during a dispute at the Sheepshead Bay B and Q subway station in Brooklyn. The incident occurred on a mezzanine level around 9 a.m. Saturday when a 70-year-old man, who was holding an emergency exit door open, had a confrontation with the victim. The attacker fled on a southbound Q train but was later taken into custody by NYPD Transit 34th district officers.

The attack comes amid data from the NYPD showing a rise in violence within the New York City transit system. Felony assaults in the transit system have increased by 12% compared to the same period last year, rising to 525 incidents. Misdemeanor assaults have also seen a 16% increase. While overall transit crime is up 2%, arrests in the transit system have decreased by 5% compared to the previous year.