URGENT UPDATE: A serial slasher is on the loose in Brooklyn following three unprovoked attacks within just 24 hours. Authorities report that the suspect first struck on a subway train, slicing a stranger’s face before launching two more attacks in the Flatbush area.
The terrifying spree began on October 15, 2023, around 6:30 a.m. when a 37-year-old man was attacked on a Manhattan-bound Q train at the Church Ave. subway stop. The victim was slashed on the left side of his face and managed to alert police after exiting the train, while the assailant remained onboard until the next stop.
In a shocking turn of events, the same suspect attacked two more victims that evening. At approximately 9:40 p.m., a 53-year-old man was slashed near Foster and New York Avenues, about a mile and a half from the initial attack. The violence continued early the next morning, around 6:55 a.m. on October 16, when a 56-year-old man was also targeted just a block away from the previous assault, near Newkirk Ave. and New York Avenues.
All three victims were transported to Kings County Hospital and are reported to be in stable condition, according to police sources. The NYPD has intensified their search for the suspect, examining several blocks in Flatbush as they work to prevent further incidents.
Authorities described the suspect as wearing a navy blue jacket, black shorts, and white sneakers. Surveillance images have been released, urging the public to assist in identifying this dangerous individual.
This series of attacks comes shortly after a separate stabbing incident on a subway train in Manhattan, which has raised alarms about safety on public transportation. On October 16, a man was stabbed in the back during an argument on a D train by a suspect described as an emotionally disturbed homeless man with a lengthy criminal history. He was arrested the following day.
The NYPD is calling for anyone with information regarding the serial slasher to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, with all calls kept confidential.
As the investigation unfolds, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The urgency of these attacks has left the community on edge, highlighting the need for heightened safety measures in public spaces. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
