‘She got him like bullseye’: Man stabbed in NYC subway saved by GF who pepper-sprayed suspect
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Amid growing concerns about crime on transit, a man was stabbed multiple times on an Upper West Side subway Wednesday night, Oct 19, before his girlfriend pepper-sprayed the attacker. According to NYPD, the victim, Sammi Tovar, a 26-year-old man, and an older man got into an argument as the suspect came uncomfortably close to the victim's girlfriend on a northbound Line 2 train at the 72nd Street station at around 11.pm. The defendant hit the victim in the head as he stood up to block him. After a verbal argument, the suspect reached for a kitchen knife and attempted to attack the victim.
The attack was averted by the victim, who sustained cuts to his left thigh and left hand's index finger. The assailant was then pepper-sprayed by a woman who was with the victim, stopping him from doing any more harm, according to the police. While describing the incident, Sammi Tovar told ABC7 that he would be dead if it wasn't for his girlfriend. "He would have continued, he seemed mildly amused at everything so I'm glad she got him when she did. She was able to get him like a bullseye, right in the face, so that got him stunned and he ran away,” he remarked. After being pepper sprayed, the suspect boarded a train heading north. The victim was transferred in stable condition to Mount Sinai Morningside, according to NYPD.
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The stabbing is just the most recent attack to bring attention to transit crime in recent weeks. According to ABC7, many passengers insisted they'll continue to ride the train because it's a part of life here in the city, however, they said that they will be more cautious when on public transportation due to the increasing number of stabbing incidents including the recent one. Tovar's girlfriend, who did not reveal his name, shared a message to the riding public adding, "It is extremely, extremely important that women, in particular, are ready to defend themselves because it seems like it is absolutely necessary, things are really bad out there." NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell on the other hand said Transit crime is currently experiencing a difficult time.
She claimed that extra police were being dispatched to the subway. The MTA has also directed conductors to announce when officers are aboard trains or platforms to help on-edge riders feel safer. Meanwhile, Police officers also reported that no arrests have been made so far and the suspect is still being sought by NYPD. He is described as a man in his 50s with facial hair who was wearing a blue hoodie. Anyone with any information is being asked by NYPD to report the same by calling the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) (for Spanish). One can also submit tips by visiting the CrimeStoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or by messaging on Twitter @NYPDTips.