Man Charged With Attempted Murder Over Subway Incident

A New York City man with a history of arrests faces attempted murder charges after allegedly shoving a stranger onto subway tracks on New Year’s Eve.

At a Glance

Kamel Hawkins, 23, has been charged with attempted murder for pushing a man onto the subway tracks.
The victim miraculously survived being struck by an incoming train but was seriously injured.
The incident occurred at 18th Street station in Chelsea, Manhattan.
The suspect has prior arrests, including assaulting a police officer.

Violent Subway Shove Shocks New Year’s Eve Commuters

On the evening of December 31, 2024, New York City’s subway system became the scene of a horrifying incident when 23-year-old Kamel Hawkins allegedly shoved a 45-year-old man onto the tracks at the 18th Street station in Chelsea, Manhattan. The victim, whose identity has not been released, survived being struck by an incoming 1 train but suffered serious injuries including a head injury, broken ribs, and a fractured skull.

The New York Police Department received a 911 call reporting an assault in progress at the subway station. Witnesses described the attack as sudden and violent. One eyewitness recounted the terrifying moment:

“It was absolutely violent, just a full lounge shove towards the man just pushing him onto the tracks, the man screamed as he was falling.”

The victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Meanwhile, law enforcement swiftly identified and apprehended Hawkins less than an hour after the attack, thanks to the efforts of transit officers and surveillance cameras.

Witness recounts man escaping death after being pushed onto subway tracks; suspect charged https://t.co/8fsiDgwM78 pic.twitter.com/zwYh0LmUZR

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) January 2, 2025

Suspect’s Troubling History

Kamel Hawkins, now facing charges of attempted murder and felony assault, has a concerning criminal record. The suspect reportedly has nine prior arrests, including a 2019 incident where he allegedly body-slammed a police officer.

Of particular concern is an open assault, harassment, and weapons case from October in Brooklyn. Despite prosecutors’ requests for bail in that case, Hawkins was referred to a non-detention program.

Subway Safety Concerns Mount Amid Violence Surge

This latest incident adds to concerns violence in New York City’s subway system. The attack on New Year’s Eve follows the tragic death of Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old homeless woman who was set on fire while sleeping on a train in Brooklyn just two weeks prior.

The subway system saw a 25-year high in killings in 2024, with Kawam’s death marking the 11th homicide on the rails that year. This surge in violence comes despite Mayor Adams’ efforts to reduce crime, which have resulted in a reported 5% overall crime reduction on the subway in 2024.

As New Yorkers grapple with these shocking incidents, questions about subway safety and the effectiveness of current crime prevention strategies continue to dominate public discourse. The challenge for city officials remains clear: balancing the need for public safety with maintaining the accessibility and efficiency of one of the world’s largest public transportation systems.