NYPD: 17-year-old boy stabbed in targeted attack at Midtown subway station
NEW YORK -- There are safety concerns on the subway after several stabbings over the last week.
The most recent attack happened on Saturday. CBS2's Christina Fan has more on a rise in crime and on the latest victim, who is just a teenager.
Police need help identifying six men wearing black-hooded sweatshirts and surgical masks in the attack on the 17-year-old boy.
The victim was waiting for the No. 6 train at the East 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue station on Saturday afternoon when a group of men began punching and kicking him in the head and body. One suspect then pulled a knife and stabbed the teen multiple times, police said.
"It scares me. It really scares me," one person said.
"You hear on the news, always something going on, going on. We need to be more secure," another person said.
The attack came as authorities are trying to crack down on crime underground. NYPD stats show transit crime is up 41 percent, with felony assaults up nearly 17 percent, compared to this time last year.
"There's a lot of people running around with mental health issues, and not enough is being done to combat that, so that's what I would suggest," one straphanger said.
Just Thursday, three people were stabbed in separate subway attacks. Police have made an arrest in one, charging 27-year-old Saquan Lemons for the murder of 38-year-old Charles Moore at the 176th Street and Jerome Avenue station.
"There isn't much you can do, just being more careful. Trying to avoid people that you think that they have negative behavior," a person said.
Police say Moore was exiting a northbound 4 train when Lemons, unprovoked, walked up with a large knife and stabbed the victim in the back and chest. The MTA's chief safety and security officer put out a statement, writing "We've said before, anyone who targets transit riders or employees will have their picture taken and the NYPD will bring them to justice."
Police said the 17-year-old who was attacked received several stiches, but otherwise is expected to be okay.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.