7 Train attack (@DC_Draino via Twitter)
July 14, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
A Bronx man who slashed two elderly straphangers on the 7 train in Woodside last week has been charged with attempted murder, assault and other crimes.
Patrick Chambers, 46, allegedly stabbed a 71-year-old man in the stomach and the chest in an unprovoked attack on July 5, according to the District Attorney’s office. He then slashed a 73-year-old man who tried to intervene in the assault, cutting the victim on his wrist and chest.
Part of the violent attack on the men was caught on video and now has 1 million views on Twitter.
Chambers faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the charges, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement Monday.
“This was a senseless act of violence that put both victims at grave risk,” Katz said.
Chambers, according to the charges, was riding a Manhattan-bound train– between 61st Street and 52nd Street shortly after 7:25 a.m.
He was seen holding a knife in one hand and a pair of scissors in the other hand. Chambers, without provocation, began to yell at the 71-year-old man who was sitting across from him on the train.
Chambers then approached the man and allegedly stabbed him. Both men fell to the floor and Chambers continued to stab the defenseless 71-year-old.
A 73-year-old man tried to intervene and was attacked by Chambers who slashed the man’s chest and wrist.
Chambers then ran away from the victims and quickly exited into the adjoining car, Katz said. Chambers was arrested by police after the train pulled into the 52nd St. station, according to the NYPD.
Police allegedly recovered a blood-stained knife from the defendant’s pocket and a pair of scissors that was retrieved near a puddle of blood in the subway car, Katz said.
Both victims were transferred to a local Queens hospital and treated for their injuries.
The 71-year-old man sustained a large laceration to his abdomen and chest. He lost around two liters of blood and had to undergo emergency surgery, Katz said.
Chambers stands charged with attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of attempted assault in the first degree and two counts of assault in the second degree of an elderly person.
He was also charged with two counts of assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
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