A series of disturbing violent incidents on public transit systems across the United States over the past year has heightened fears among millions of daily riders who depend on buses and trains for safe travel.
The latest attack occurred just before 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at New York City’s Grand Central Station subway platform. According to officials, 44-year-old Anthony Griffin, who called himself Lucifer, went on a stabbing spree with a machete, slashing three passengers aged 84, 65, and 70. Police opened fire on Griffin, who had three prior arrests, and he later died at the hospital. All three victims survived.
This incident follows several other high-profile attacks. In November, a 26-year-old woman in Chicago was doused with gasoline and set on fire while riding a train. The suspect, Lawrence Reed, who had 72 prior arrests, is now charged with federal terrorism. The woman miraculously survived and was released from the hospital only two months ago.
In August, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee named Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed by a black man in an unprovoked attack while riding a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, simply trying to get home.
Last month in Manhattan, an 83-year-old Air Force veteran was killed after being pushed in front of an oncoming train.
These events have left passengers on high alert and prompted questions about what transit agencies and local officials are doing to enhance safety.
New York Police Department officials stated they have increased subway patrols significantly. “We recently added more than 175 additional officers to subway patrol. That is in addition to our transit overtime posts and you will continue to see them throughout the system,” one spokesperson said. “Their focus is on preventing violence and responding immediately when something happens.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed banning anyone convicted of attacking a passenger from the subway system for three years. She noted that a similar ban for assaults on MTA workers exists but is rarely used. Critics of the proposal argue it could block people from jobs and doctors’ appointments.
Data shows assaults on transit operators in New York jumped 2132% over the 10-year period ending in 2024.
In his 100 days in office address delivered today, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani did not mention the Grand Central attack. The investigation into the incident continues.