On Wednesday morning, June 18, 2025, a routine rush‑hour commute at New York City’s Grand Central Terminal was shattered by a sudden and violent knife attack. At approximately 7:15 a.m., aboard a southbound No. 5 subway train entering the 42nd Street mezzanine, an altercation erupted between a suspect and one of the riders, culminating in a stabbing incident that left two men injured.
The first victim, a 32-year-old man, was involved in a dispute with the attacker and suffered multiple stab wounds to the abdomen and buttocks. Seconds later, a 28-year-old bystander, uninvolved in the altercation, was struck in the abdomen amid the ensuing chaos. Both were swiftly transported to Bellevue Hospital, where doctors confirmed they were in stable condition, relieving immediate concerns about life-threatening injuries.
The attack was captured on surveillance and cellphone footage. One video shows the assailant, dressed in a black jacket and black hat, repeatedly stabbing the first victim near a subway bench before grabbing a yellow bag and fleeing the scene. The NYPD responded to a 911 call moments later, arriving at the mezzanine around 7:20 a.m., and initially detained a person of interest. However, that individual was subsequently released, and the attacker remains at large.
Investigation Underway, No Motive Yet
Authorities have not established a clear motive for the attack, though the confrontation appears to have stemmed from a dispute between the suspect and the 32‑year‑old victim. The NYPD’s Transit District 4, which oversees Grand Central, is leading the investigation. Officials are urging the public to submit any video footage or tips that might help identify the suspect, who was last seen fleeing with a yellow bag.
This incident comes just two days after a separate stabbing on June 16, targeting two court officers in Manhattan courts. That attack, which appeared directed at uniformed personnel, heightened local concerns about commuter safety. The court officers were injured but survived, and discussion quickly emerged among city leaders and union representatives regarding improved security in both transit and judicial facilities.
Broader Context: Rising Concerns Over Transit Safety
Although New York City’s MTA reports an overall decline in subway crime, violent incidents—including stabbings, slashes, and assaults—have continued to capture headlines. In January 2025, a high-profile confrontation aboard a Metro-North train entering Grand Central ended in a stabbing tied to a noise dispute. Meanwhile, the Grand Central terminal has seen several violent episodes over recent years, including a Christmas Eve slashing incident and a 2023 racist knife attack on teenage tourists in the terminal’s dining concourse.
These events have underscored growing concerns among commuters and the public. Advocacy groups and worker unions have called for enhanced protective measures—ranging from greater law enforcement visibility and faster emergency response times, to improved mental health intervention and more sustained video surveillance.
Commuter Reactions & Official Responses
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic. One commuter recounted how bystanders froze amid the violence, highlighting concerns about response hesitation in high-pressure situations. This “bystander paralysis” has become an increasing topic of discussion following high-profile subway attacks .
Meanwhile, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, alongside other city leaders, reaffirmed their commitment to prosecuting violent crimes. “New Yorkers deserve to feel safe in public transit,” Bragg emphasized following the June 16 courthouse stabbing. The same resolve resonates among public officials advocating for preventive strategies to avert similar attacks.