Caught on video: Suspect bashes woman with a hammer, robs her as she enters subway station
NEW YORK - As New York City police continue to try and increase safety underground, there has been another attack. This time, police are looking for a suspect who beat a 57-year-old woman with a hammer and robbed her.
As CBS2's Natalie Duddridge reports, video shows a man with a cane follow Nina Rothschild, a New York City Health Department worker, down stairs to a subway station.
The suspect can be seen kicking Rothschild twice in the back before he pulls out a hammer and hits her on the back of the head multiple times. He then stole her purse and ran off.
"It's sad. It's horrible. I mean, no one deserves that," said Marilyn James.
"It's scary as hell," another person said.
"Was there security? Was there someone working?" another person asked.
The assault happened at 11:20 p.m. Thursday in the Queens Plaza E, M, R subway stairwell.
Rothschild suffered a fractured skull and was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center.
"Nina is a really nice person and I hope she's OK," a neighbor said. "She works really hard, and I know that because she comes home really late."
"She's such a nice person, she goes about her business. It's a shame," said Marlina Smith. "They need to catch that person."
Watch Natalie Duddridge's report --
Rothschild was still in the hospital Friday night after undergoing surgery for a fractured skull, but her brother Gerson told CBS2's Ali Bauman she seems to be doing surprisingly well considering her injuries. He says she was awake and aware of what happened when they spoke, even asking him to cancel her appointments for the day.
"I hate to say it, but it never really crossed my mind that she would actually be attacked. I mean, Nina, of all people?" Gerson Rothschild said.
He says his sister is a senior staff scientist for the city health department.
"She was leading a pod ... for administering vaccines. They were looking for volunteers, and she volunteered to do that," he said.
The attack happened as Nina Rothschild was heading home after her shift Thursday night.
In a statement, New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi said:
Our thoughts are with Nina and her family following this horrific incident. Nina has worked tirelessly in service to her fellow New Yorkers and she is truly a public health hero. The Health Department and I will do everything we can to support her in her recovery -- and we ask that all New Yorkers keep her and her family in their thoughts while respecting their privacy during this difficult time.
"This is an unprovoked, brutal and appalling crime on a woman who was just trying to get home after a day's work. A woman who dedicated her life to helping others," NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said.
The latest police data shows subway crime is up 60% compared to this time last year. It is down 30% compared to two years ago, but with the caveat that ridership is still only half of what it was pre-pandemic.
"Darn it, we need to deal with those who are on our streets right now that are dangerous, that are violent," Mayor Eric Adams said. "While we give them the emotional help they need, we need to get them off our streets."
The mayor's subway safety plan has reached its fifth day. Police and other outreach teams have been moving homeless people into shelters. Friday, the police presence was noticeable at the station where Rothschild was attacked.
"Something needs to be done. That's why I don't take the subway. My husband picks me up everyday. I refuse to take the subway," one person said.
"I already don't ride the subway anymore," said another.
"I'm hoping that Mayor Adams will be able to solve the problem," Gerson Rothschild said.
The MTA is also planning to test platform doors at some stations to stop people from jumping onto the tracks, or being pushed.
"I'm definitely seeing a difference. That's unfortunate but I'm definitely seeing a difference," one person said.
"There's a mental health crisis," another person said. "We need to be extending our resources to ensure that people who are mentally ill are adequately supported."
Until then, Gerson Rothschild says he and his sister will be here waiting.
"She really likes New York. I mean, we've both lived in New York our entire lives, and she obviously would be upset it happened in New York, but I don't think it's going to scare her off of New York," he said.
The suspect in this incident is described as wearing all black and carrying a cane.
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.