An 83-year-old man died a week after a suspect shoved him and another man onto the subway tracks inside a Manhattan station, police said Thursday.
Police arrested the man believed to be responsible for an apparent random attack at an Upper East Side subway station, in which two men were shoved onto the tracks. One of the victims, an 83-ear-old grandfather and Air Force veteran, was left clinging to life.
NBC New York’s Chris Jose reports. The man accused of pushing an 83-year-old man onto subway tracks, ultimately causing his death a week later, has been charged with murder in connection to the case, Manhattan District Attorney D.A. Bragg announced Monday. Bairon Hernandez is also accused of shoving another individual the same day, March 8, onto subway tracks at an Upper East Side station."Two New Yorkers were waiting for the subway on a Sunday morning when they were shoved into the tracks, allegedly by Bairon Hernandez. He used such force that he killed Richard Williams, an 83-year-old veteran,” said District Attorney D.A. Bragg said in a statement. “I hope the survivor continues to heal from this abhorrent assault, and my thoughts are with the loved ones of Mr. Williams who are mourning his tragic loss. Those who use violence in our bustling transit system will be prosecuted.” Hernandez was arrested two days after the attack and charged with murder in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree and attempted assault in the second degree in connection with the incidents at the Lexington Avenue-63rd Street subway station. Richard Williams, the 83-year-old man from Roosevelt Island who was shoved, died on March 17, nine days after the random subway attack on the Upper East Side, eventually succumbing to the injuries he sustained in the assault, police said.According to investigators, a 30-year-old man was standing on the southbound F/Q platform at the Upper East Side station around 11:30 a.m. when a man came up from behind. Police said that individual, believed to be Hernandez, pushed the 30-year-old, who fell onto the subway tracks. Hernandez then walked up to Williams, who was walking with a cane, on the platform and pushed him, too, police said. The elderly man also fell to the tracks, landing on his face and suffering a brain bleed. He was taken to a hospital with critical injuries and never regained consciousness. "The only reason I’m talking to anybody is because I just want the right thing to be done by this man. I want to draw attention," Debbie Williams told NBC New York over the phone two days after the attack on her father, who at that time was still at Weill COrnell Hospital in critical condition."This is everybody’s father. This is everybody’s grandfather now.""My father is an awesome, giving man. He was enjoying his best life on Roosevelt Island. Going to the city independently at 83 years old, doing whatever he wanted to do," said Debbie. The younger victim, John Rodriguez, was treated for less severe injuries. He previously spoke to NBC New York, describing how terrified he was and how grateful he is to be alive. Rodriguez shared video he took when he was stuck on the tracks waiting for help — and praying a train wasn't close to arriving at the station. He said he saw blood on the other victim's head and shouted for help. Fortunately, neither victim was hit by a train. Both were pulled by Good Samaritans back to safety on the platform before a train arrived. As the 34-year-old Hernandez was walked from a police station after his initial arrest, he said"no" and shook his head when asked if he was the one who shoved the two victims. Attorney information for Hernandez was not immediately clear.
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