Suspect Charged In Queens Subway Shove Due In Court
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A suspect accused of pushing a man down the stairs at a Queens subway station is set to face a judge on Tuesday.
Jerome Blakely, 44, is expected to be arraigned on an assault charge in Queens Criminal Court.
Police said he was seen on surveillance video allegedly shoving 69-year-old Egwuatua Amalu down a flight of stairs at the 36th Street subway station in Long Island City last Wednesday.
His children said the assault was unprovoked.
"He said that he never saw anyone coming," said Nnoyelum Amalu, the victim's daughter. "He looked around and didn't see anybody."
"I feel terrible about it," said the victim's son, Nndami Amalu. "I don't understand — like, why him?"
They said their father was left with a fractured knee cap. He spoke with CBS2 by phone from his hospital bed after learning about Blakely's arrest.
"I think I should be happy," Egwuatu Amalu said. "They arrested someone who did this."
Blakely was arrested Monday night after a case worker at a city shelter recognized him from the surveillance video and called police, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.
Blakely was apparently recently living in a homeless shelter in the Bowery and was arrested in Greenwich Village, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.
Records show Blakely has 10 prior arrests dating back to 1995, mostly for marijuana possession, Burrell reported. Police said he has been arrested and charged once before for assault.
A motive for the attack remains unknown. The victim, who is scheduled to begin physical therapy this week, said he never exchanged any words with the suspect.