Man Stabbed On Midtown Subway In Possible Hate Crime: Police

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A man making anti-gay statements stabbed another passenger on a Midtown subway platform Monday, in what authorities are investigating as an anti-gay hate crime, according to police.

The dispute began around 3:30 a.m. Monday aboard a northbound 2 train. The victim, a 29-year-old man, was sitting across from an unidentified man who began shouting anti-gay statements at other passengers.

When the man started directing his anti-gay statements at the victim, the two men began arguing and then physically fighting. When the train stopped at 34th Street–Penn Station, the fight spilled onto the platform, where the suspect stabbed the victim with an unknown object, police said.

Not realizing he had been stabbed, the victim got back on the northbound 2 train and then discovered stab wounds to his chest and torso. He brought himself to Mount Sinai West Hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect, who fled the station to parts unknown, is described as a dark-skinned man who is about 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds with a medium build and partial facial hair. He was last seen wearing a red Chicago Bulls hat, a gold chain around his neck, a black shirt, green cargo shorts and multicolored sneakers.

Police released surveillance images of the suspect taken at the subway station. The stabbing is being investigated by the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force.

Police asked anyone with information 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.