Brandon Harris, a 35-year-old man, has been arrested following last week’s disturbing incident where he allegedly pushed an 82-year-old Asian woman onto subway tracks. He is facing serious charges, including attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault. According to police reports, there appears to be no known connection between Harris and the victim, and the motive for the attack remains unclear as the investigation continues.
On October 2, authorities responded to a report around noon about a woman requiring emergency medical assistance at the Main Street subway station. When officers arrived, they found the elderly woman lying on the tracks between two subway cars. She was quickly rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with minor head injuries, and she is currently in stable condition.
The NYPD Warrant Squad and detectives from the 109th precinct arrested Harris on October 4. A police spokesperson reported that Harris allegedly approached the victim from behind after she had just gotten off the train and pushed her off the platform before fleeing the scene. That same night, he was taken to Queens General Hospital for a mental health evaluation.
Harris, who resides at 39-12 Main Street in Flushing, has no known prior relationship with the victim. He was formally processed at the Transit District 20 in Jamaica on October 7, facing the aforementioned charges.
Authorities have reiterated that the motive behind Harris’s actions remains uncertain, and the investigation is still active. The outcome of his mental health assessment is expected to significantly influence the next steps in this case.
