Brandon Harris, a 35-year-old man, recently found himself in legal trouble after allegedly pushing an 82-year-old Chinese woman onto subway tracks last week. He is currently facing charges of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault. According to police reports, there was no known relationship between Harris and the victim, and investigators have yet to determine a clear motive for the attack.
On October 2, authorities at the 109th precinct received an emergency call reporting that a woman needed immediate medical assistance at the Mott Street subway station. When officers arrived, they discovered the elderly woman lying on the tracks between two subway cars. She was promptly transported to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where she was treated for minor head injuries and is now reported to be in stable condition.
The NYPD Warrant Squad, with the help of detectives from the 109th precinct, arrested Harris on October 4. A police spokesperson detailed that Harris allegedly approached the victim from behind after she exited the subway and pushed her onto the platform before fleeing the scene. That evening, he underwent a mental health evaluation at Queens General Hospital.
Harris is identified as a Black male residing at 39-12 Mott Street in Flushing, Queens, with no known ties to the victim. On October 7, he completed the booking process at the Transit District 20 station in Jamaica and was officially charged with attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault.
As the investigation continues, authorities have stated that the motive behind Harris’s actions remains unclear. The findings from his mental health evaluation will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps in the legal proceedings.
