Suspect who shoved Asian man into path of NYC subway train arrested months later for groping

January 12, 2022

A man accused of pushing an Asian commuter into the path of an approaching subway train in New York City last May has been arrested after groping a woman, police announced on Tuesday.

Ronald Lacey, 23, allegedly shoved the victim, 35, in the direction of an F train at the 21st Street-Queensbridge Station in Long Island City at around 7:45 a.m. on May 24, 2021.

Bystanders reportedly flagged down the train and pulled the victim up to safety.

The victim, who then lost consciousness on the platform, sustained a fractured wrist and a deep wound that required 14 stitches.

“Without provocation, this defendant allegedly shoved a man from the platform of the subway onto the tracks with a train entering the station,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement, according to QNS. “This could have ended with tragic results if not for the quick action of the good Samaritans.”

At the time of the attack, Lacey had pending charges of possession of a weapon, menacing and harassment for an incident that had occurred the week prior; however, he was released without bail the next day, according to the New York Daily News.

He was finally arrested on Jan. 7, for grabbing a 31-year-old woman’s buttocks at the Union Square Station on Dec. 8, 2021.

Lacey has been charged with attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree and harassment in the second degree, according to Sunnyside Post.

Police initially investigated the subway attack as a possible hate crime, but Lacey has not been charged with any hate crimes following the incident.

The 23-year-old will return to court today. If convicted, he will face up to 25 years in prison.

Featured Image via New York Police Department

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