A series of unrelated attacks left three people slashed and another pepper-sprayed and bitten near Times Square overnight into Wednesday, both in the subway and on the street, according to authorities.
The incidents culminated around 3:45 a.m. when a 26-year-old man was slashed on his right arm while standing on the 7 train platform at the Times Square subway hub. The victim claimed that the suspect, identified as Michael Hernandez, 25, of Brooklyn, had previously accosted him. Once confronted, the suspect allegedly knifed the man. Police quickly apprehended Hernandez after the victim provided a photo of his attacker. Hernandez was charged with second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and officers found a switchblade in his shorts pocket.
Earlier, around 1 a.m., another violent encounter occurred in Bryant Park at West 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue. Sara Flores, 19, told Jennifer Tompkins, 30, a stranger, that a group had just jumped her. Tompkins warned Flores to leave her alone or face pepper spray, but Flores persisted. A brawl ensued, with Tompkins allegedly pepper-spraying Flores and biting her on the lip, while Flores reportedly stabbed Tompkins in the head and ribs. Both women were arrested and charged with second-degree assault and menacing. Flores is from the Bronx and Tompkins is from Queens.
The earliest attack happened around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday on the southbound A, C, and E platforms. A 31-year-old man was slashed in the stomach after an argument with another man. The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition. The cause of the argument remains unclear, and no arrests have been made.
These chaotic incidents occurred hours after Mayor Eric Adams praised Times Square’s thriving environment. “Any time you don’t believe the city’s back, just go hit Times Square and you see just the people walking, just enjoying being in our city,” Mayor Adams said at a Monday morning briefing.
Despite the praise, felony assaults have increased by about 13% this year in the Midtown South Precinct, which covers Times Square, with 276 such crimes reported compared to 244 during the same period in 2023. However, overall felony crime in the precinct is down, with 1,766 incidents reported this year compared to 2,022 last year.
Thomas Anderson, 49, visiting from Vermont, expressed nervousness about the crime statistics. “The problem is that if people don’t have options, they commit crimes,” he said.
Sherri, a commuter from Suffolk County, feels relieved that she only stays in the city until 5 p.m. daily. She attributes crime to the legalization of marijuana and poor mental health support. “There’s a lot of mental health that comes into play and there’s just not enough help out there, so unfortunately other people are the victims of that,” she said.
Meanwhile, Michael Hargwood, 36, and his father Warren Hargwood, 62, believe crime is exaggerated, especially on the subway. “It’s not as bad as they say it is, it comes in spurts,” Michael said. “Earlier this year, you were inundated with incidents on the subway and now there’s none, I think after the National Guard came in the blink of an eye and now they’re not there.”