Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. has called the attack on an MTA Q53 bus rider in Woodhaven last month a senseless act of violence and is urging commuters to practice caution on public transportation.
Police say a 37-year-old man riding the Q53 bus on Sunday, July 7 suffered lacerations to his head and face following a verbal dispute with two unknown attackers.
The victim was seated on the bus as it approached 101st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard at around 1:30 p.m., when the two attackers hit the man over the head with a glass bottle multiple times, police said.
Addabbo, who represents constituents in Woodhaven as part of District 15, asks the community to work together to create a safer environment and condemned violence of any kind on mass transit.
“I am deeply disturbed by the brutal attack on a 37-year-old man aboard an MTA Q53 bus in Woodhaven,” Addabbo said. “This senseless act of violence, during which the victim was hit in the head multiple times with a glass bottle, is reprehensible and has no place in our community.”
Addabbo offered his condolences to the victim and wished him a speedy recovery. He also recognized the 102nd Precinct for their speedy response and tireless efforts to keep the streets safe.
“I believe government must be vigilant in ensuring the safety and security of passengers using public transportation,” Addabbo added.
Surveillance images released by the NYPD show the two suspects after fleeing the scene of the attack.
Police describe the man as having dark hair, dreadlocks, wearing a blue t-shirt, light-colored shorts with multi-colored designs, dark sunglasses, white socks and blue Crocs at the time of the attack.
The crook also held a bottle in a brown bag in his right hand and a white plastic bag with unknown contents in his left hand, police said.
Police say the female accomplice had long black hair and wore a blue bikini top, ripped blue jeans and white flip-flops. She also held a glass bottle in a small brown bag in her left hand, surveillance images revealed.
Anyone with information regarding this assault investigation is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
The latest 102nd Precinct crime stats reveal that felony assaults have decreased by 11.5%, with 192 incidents in 2024 compared to 217 in 2023. On the other hand, misdemeanor assaults have increased by 20.5%, rising from 307 incidents in 2023 to 370 in 2024.
Looking at July alone, felony assaults have significantly decreased by 55.3%, with 17 incidents in 2024 compared to 38 in 2023. However, misdemeanor assaults have seen a substantial increase of 80.6%, with 56 incidents in 2024 compared to 31 in 2023.
