Accused Times Square Subway Slasher Sought By Police

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Police on Thursday asked for help identifying a man accused of slashing another man at the Times Square–42nd Street subway station on Wednesday.

The slashing happened around 8:50 a.m. on the southbound 1-2-3 train platform, when the suspect approached a 35-year-old man sitting on a bench with his earbuds in, according to the Daily News.

After the victim reportedly took out his earbud and asked if the man was speaking to him, the suspect brandished a scalpel and slashed the victim on the left side of his face, "causing a severe laceration," according to police.

The man fled the station on foot. The victim was hospitalized in stable condition.

Police shared surveillance footage on Thursday showing the suspect in the subway station shortly after the attack.

Hours after the slashing on Wednesday, MTA officials renewed a call for more cops in the subway system following a spate of unprovoked attacks in recent weeks.

"Sadly once again, we've seen several separate attacks within a few hours across three boroughs – two of them taking place at the busiest station in our system by far, Times Sq.-42nd St.," Sarah Feinberg, the transit agency's interim chief, said in a statement.

"The mayor must act. The transit system needs an injection of additional mental health resources and a visible police presence on platforms and trains to deter crime and better support our customers returning to the system."

Police asked anyone with information about the suspect to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). People can also submit tips online or on Twitter, @NYPDTips.