A Honduran immigrant has been taken into custody following a shocking attack in which he pushed two individuals onto subway tracks at an Upper East Side station. One of the victims, an 83-year-old Air Force veteran, is in grave condition.
Bairon Hernandez, aged 34, now faces a series of serious charges including attempted murder and reckless endangerment. The incident occurred at the Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street station, according to authorities.
Witnesses reported that Hernandez first shoved a 30-year-old man named Jhon Rodriguez onto the tracks, followed by the elderly veteran, Richard Williams.
Fortunately, both victims were rescued before a train could arrive. However, Williams sustained critical injuries when his head collided with the tracks, resulting in significant fractures and internal bleeding.
News: A routine subway ride in New York turned violent.
Police say Bairon Hernandez, a Honduran national, pushed two people onto the tracks, including 83-year-old Air Force veteran Richard Williams.
Williams suffered serious injuries, including bleeding in the brain. pic.twitter.com/3xd569ree0
— States Radar (@statesradar) March 11, 2026
His granddaughter, Samantha Loria, expressed her gratitude that a train was not approaching at that moment. She shared the emotional pain of seeing her grandfather in such a state, recalling how generous he has always been.
Rodriguez described feeling fearful and disoriented after his terrifying experience, urging for stronger security measures at train stations.
In the wake of this incident, police released images of the suspect and quickly apprehended Hernandez, who was formally charged soon after. The rising number of subway attacks remains a concern for commuters, with nine incidents reported in 2026 alone, a worrying increase from previous years.
