NYPD searching for man who called woman “dyke” and then fractured her spine on New York subway
Homophobic attack reportedly sparked by seeing a woman kiss the victim on the cheek
New York City Police Department is searching for a man accused of shouting homophobic abuse at a woman before attacking her so violently that he fractured her spine.
The incident occured on Friday, Nov. 30, on the Manhattan-bound E train, according to police. The man allegedly attacked the woman because he believed she was a lesbian.
The suspect, described as 5’11, 220 lbs, and 50 to 60 years old, is reported to have become angry after seeing a woman kiss the victim on the cheek, Gothamist reports.
The suspect apparently called the victim, who is 20 years old, a “dyke” after seeing the kiss.
The victim and the suspect then became embroiled in an argument, but when the woman tried to walk away NYPD says the suspect attacked her from behind, punching her in the back of the head and pushing her to the ground.
The victim apparently struck her head on the train floor as she fell, and the suspect subsequently fled the scene at the Forest Hills-71st Ave. station.
Police say the victim was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center and treated for a fractured spine, while the city’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the attack.
Anyone with information related to the attack is asked to call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers on 1-800-577-TIPS, or 1-888-57-PISTA for Spanish, visit the Crime Stoppers website, contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Twitter account, or text TIP577 to 274637.
Watch video of the suspect — without audio — below:
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