A subway worker with the Metropolitan Transit Authority, who was in the process of recuperating from a major brain operation, was physically assaulted by two females in a brutal incident that happened in the middle of the day on a Saturday. The unfortunate event took place in Brooklyn when the two perpetrators allegedly attempted to bypass the obligation to pay their subway fare. Despite the best efforts taken by the city’s police force, the two women remain at large and their pursuit continues.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:15 in the afternoon. Marshalee Reid, a 51-year-old MTA employee, was the victim of the attack. She was stationed at the mezzanine area of the New Lots Avenue subway station located on the 3 line of East New York. Given the fact that Reid was still healing from a previous brain surgery she had undergone the previous year, she had been assigned restricted duty.
Reid’s assigned task at the station was to assist seniors with their exit through usage of the emergency gate. However, her routine was disrupted when one of the accused females recklessly hopped over the turnstile. In a swift action that followed, the second culprit was quick to seize the moment and slipped through the emergency exit, that was left ajar by the previous elderly commuter, as described by the Transport Workers Union.
With a swift turn of events, Reid found herself confronting these two women who were clearly breaching subway regulations. As she attempted to inform them about the requisite fare payment, the situation escalated rapidly. The accused reacted aggressively towards Reid and launched their attack on her, which even involved using a set of keys as a weapon.
The ordeal ensued as Reid was struck multiple times in the face as well as other parts of her body by the relentless offenders. With the brutal assault characterized by punches and slashes from keys, the severity of the situation was evident. The account by the New York Police Department confirmed the sequence of events.
When the Emergency Medical Services were contacted, the two assailants seized the opportunity to make their getaway. They managed to escape the scene before the paramedics arrived. Reid, despite being injured, managed to maintain her condition and was promptly transported to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center where she was reported to be in a stable condition.
In the aftermath of this gut-wrenching event, city officials and the NYPD are doing their utmost to apprehend the violators. Both the law enforcement and MTA representatives remain persistent in their pursuit of the perpetrators and bring them to justice. They believe firmly in their ability to identify and catch the culprits.
The incident comes at a time when the city had been seeing a slight decrease in subway crimes. However, the relief was short-lived as it only lasted for a month. Recent NYPD statistics from April have shown a reverse trend with felony assaults on subway lines marking a rise of 9% as compared to data from 2024. The increase is even more alarming when compared to the statistics from 2019, showing a ghastly surge by 55%.
The first assailant, who was spotted jumping across the turnstile, has been described as a young woman, probably in her mid to late twenties. She was described as having a light complexion, with distinctly cropped black hair. Based on the last reviewed surveillance footage, she was seen donning a black t-shirt, shorts of multiple colors and white athletic shoes.
The second offender, who took advantage of the open emergency door, falls into the same age bracket as her accomplice, that is, between 25 and 30 years of age. She too has a light complexion but has short orange hair which stands out. The clothing seen in the surveillance footage includes a pink t-shirt, blue denim jeans and a pair of black sandals.
This incident shines a light on the escalating violence subway workers are increasingly facing. The unprovoked attack on Reid, a 51-year-old employee just performing her duties, highlights the pressing need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of these workers, and reduce instances of fare evasion.
While the city struggles to contain subway crime, the NYPD is tasked with the enormous job of identifying and bringing the culprits to justice. With the last known descriptions and available surveillance footage, their hunt for these women continues unabated.
Reid, who bravely confronted the women, has received an outpouring of support from the MTA, other workers, and the community. Her story serves as a grim reminder of the risks transit workers face every day on duty. New Yorkers and city officials alike must work together to combat this rising violence.