A terrifying scene unfolded in the New York City subway when two strangers were violently shoved onto the train tracks in what police say was a random and unprovoked attack.
Authorities say one of the victims is now fighting for his life after the shocking incident, which happened over the weekend at a subway station in the city.
One of the victims, 30-year-old John Rodriguez, even managed to capture part of the chaos on his cellphone after he was pushed onto the tracks. The video reportedly shows the suspect pacing along the platform while bystanders scramble to help the victims.
Footage from the tracks shows a man wearing a red hoodie walking back and forth on the platform as people rush toward the edge to help those who had fallen.
Police say the situation escalated moments later when the suspect allegedly shoved a second victim, 83-year-old Richard Williams, onto the tracks as well.
Williams, an Air Force veteran, was reportedly pushed in what investigators described as a completely unprovoked attack.
Video obtained by NewsNation shows a bystander briefly confronting the suspect before turning his attention to helping the victims climb back up from the tracks. Another person is seen reaching down to pull them to safety.
Rodriguez’s family said he immediately tried to help Williams after both men were knocked onto the tracks, even as a train was approaching the station.
His mother, Claudia Peña, said the family is grateful that police were able to arrest a suspect.
“He wasn’t in his right mind to do what he did,” Peña said. “I think it’s great that they arrested him because that way he won’t hurt anyone else.”
Williams remains hospitalized and in critical condition. Authorities say he is unconscious, on a ventilator and suffering from serious head injuries.
Police later arrested 34-year-old Bairon Alexander Posada-Hernandez at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn.
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According to the Department of Homeland Security, Posada-Hernandez is a Honduran national who has been deported from the United States four times. Officials say his most recent deportation was in 2020, though it’s unclear when he reentered the country.
Investigators also say he has an extensive criminal history, including at least 15 charges ranging from aggravated assault to domestic violence.
Despite the allegations, Posada-Hernandez denies pushing anyone onto the tracks.
Federal authorities have issued a detainer requesting that New York City hold him so he can be taken into federal custody.
The case has also sparked political controversy, with federal officials criticizing New York City leadership and urging the city to cooperate with immigration enforcement.
Meanwhile, police say both victims were complete strangers and are crediting quick-thinking bystanders for rushing in and helping save their lives.
Posada-Hernandez now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and assault, as the investigation continues.
Victims need to sue the city and state until they ban sanctuary policies and weak sentencing policies.
This is the trash that NYC loves. On one hand I feel bad for these victims, in the other they keep voting in the garbage that keeps NYC a shithole so hard to feel sorry for them.