Four Consecutive Stabbing Attacks Targeting Homeless People in New York Subway, USA...2 Dead

Four attacks targeting homeless people occurred in New York, USA, from the morning of the 12th to the morning of the 13th (local time).
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Soyoung] Four crimes targeting homeless people occurred within 24 hours from the morning of the 12th to the morning of the 13th (local time) in a subway in New York, USA. According to CNN, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Transit Bureau announced on Twitter on the 14th that suspects related to the four subway crimes, which resulted in two deaths over the past weekend, were arrested and charged.

Local media reported that on the night of the 13th, New York police arrested 21-year-old male suspect Higoberto Lopez, who has a mental illness. The arrested suspect confessed to all four attacks and said they were all "random attacks." The police charged him with murder and attempted murder, and the media added that he has a prior record of drug-related crimes and assault.

According to local media reports, around 11 p.m. on the 12th, a man presumed to be homeless was found dead in a subway car heading to Queens, New York. At the time of discovery, the victim had wounds caused by a sharp weapon on his neck and upper body.

Two hours after the incident, at 1 a.m. on the 13th, a homeless woman in her 40s was found dead at the 207th Street station in Manhattan, about 40 km away. The victim’s body, found under a subway seat, also showed signs of a sharp weapon attack.

Following the two deaths, at 1:30 a.m., a homeless man in his 40s sleeping on the stairs at the 181st Street station was attacked with a sharp weapon. Awakened by severe pain, the homeless man ran to a nearby bank and collapsed but was transported to a hospital and survived.

Earlier on the 12th morning, a man in his 60s was attacked with a sharp weapon by an assailant at the Manhattan 181st Street station platform. According to the police, the assailant shouted, "I will kill you," while attacking the man. The man sustained injuries to his knees and hips but was reported to be in stable condition.

A Transit Bureau official responsible for the safety and security of New York subway passengers said, "The investigation is ongoing, and we thank everyone who has provided assistance in this case."

Such subway crimes continue to occur. The police analyze that the reduction of train passengers to about 30% of pre-COVID-19 levels and the resulting emptiness inside subway stations have contributed to the increase in crimes.

Meanwhile, after the serial terror attacks targeting homeless people, the New York Police Department deployed an additional 500 officers to subway stations. New York Police Commissioner 'Deomot Sia' explained, "The four attacks occurred on the A line subway running between northern Manhattan and Queens." He added, "We have deployed a large number of personnel to quickly apprehend the suspect," emphasizing, "We have assigned 500 additional uniformed officers to major subway stations to ensure passengers feel safe."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.