Overview Kamel Hawkins, a 23-year-old man, has recently been in the news for a serious incident involving a subway attack in New York City. On New Year’s Eve, Hawkins allegedly shoved a 45-year-old man onto the subway tracks at the 18th Street station in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. The victim miraculously survived the fall, despite suffering a fractured skull, broken ribs, and a ruptured spleen.
Incident Details The attack occurred around 1:30 p.m. on December 31, 2024. Surveillance footage captured Hawkins pacing behind the victim before pushing him onto the tracks as a train approached. The victim, identified as Joseph Lynskey, was rescued by firefighters and taken to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition.
Legal Charges Hawkins has been charged with attempted murder and second-degree assault. He was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on New Year’s Day and is being held without bail. Hawkins has a history of previous criminal behavior, including assaulting a police officer in 2019 and facing charges for assault, harassment, and weapons possession in 2024.
Background Hawkins has had multiple run-ins with the law. In June 2019, he was charged with assault after allegedly slamming a police officer to the ground. He also has an open case in Brooklyn for assault, harassment, and weapons possession from an incident in October 2024.
Public Reaction The incident has sparked outrage and concern about safety on the New York City subway system. Mayor Eric Adams has emphasized the need to address random attacks and improve public safety in the subway.
