Police Investigate Video Of Baltimore Train Fight
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The MTA is finally speaking about a frightening attack on the subway in Baltimore where a man was nearly pushed off a moving train.
Mike Hellgren has new information on the investigation.
Video of the attack just surfaced but the MTA confirms this happened in July on a train coming from Cold Spring to Mondawmin and they are pleading for the 51-year-old to come forward.
The troubling cell phone video shows a vicious fight break out on a moving subway train in northwest Baltimore. A 51-year-old man fought off two young men. At one point, one of them opened the doors on the moving train and tried to push him out.
It hit home for an MTA commuter who's used the system for 10 years. She asked us not to show her face because she's scared she'll become a target. She says she sees about one fight a month on her train from Owings Mills to downtown.
"We won't open our mouths because we're afraid for our lives," she said. "They pry the door open all the time while the train is in motion. That train goes straight into Hopkins. I ride the train with doctors and nurses and they're just sitting there, trying to read, and it's just chaotic. Totally off-the-chain chaos."
After initially declining to speak, the MTA agreed to an interview where they said this attack was never reported when it happened and stressed felony crimes are down systemwide this year by 33%.
"There is not an uptick in crime. There is just a lot of media attention on the recent crimes that have been put out to the public," said MTA Captain Kelly Holman.
Holman says MTA police are looking into whether any of their cameras captured the attack and that the agency is increasing the police presence.
"We are having officers riding in plainclothes and uniform between Metro and light rail, as well as our buses," Holman said.
But this regular rider worries it won't last and she's fed up with the violence.
"Out of control, totally out of control and the MTA police need to do something. They have gotten so many calls from me," she said. "Next time, somebody may lose their life."
The MTA says there have been 165 felony crimes reported on the system so far this year, compared to 247 at this time last year.
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