After subway rider pushed onto tracks in Harlem, man charged with murder
NEW YORK -- The NYPD is investigating the death of a subway passenger who was pushed onto the tracks on Monday night.
It followed a series of high-profile attacks in the transit system this year.
A life was lost on the tracks at the 12th Street/Lexington Avenue station. Police sources say the victim, 54-year-old Jason Volz, did not provoke the suspect to push him just before 7 p.m.
The northbound No. 4 train could not stop in time.
"He was an honest person. He was a sincere gentleman and he always respected me. He held the door for me open plenty of times," neighbor Sammy Sanchez said of Volz. "I just feel so heartbroken."
Now charged with murder is 24-year-old Carlton McPherson of the Bronx.
Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday there were six police officer in the station at the time.
"They were present, but when you're dealing with a mental health, severe mental health crises, or if you want to participate in criminal behavior, we have now reached a point where there those who are so emboldened by that, they can keep doing it," Adams said.
Police sources say McPherson has a history of mental illness. The Bronx district attorney said he was convicted of assault in 2016 as a teenager.
NYPD sources say he has one undocumented emotionally disturbed person encounter and four prior arrests since September, including burglary, fare evasion in November, and an assault in Bedford-Stuyvesant in October, when he allegedly struck a 40-year-old man he did not know with a cane.
In that case, sources say McPherson missed several court appearances and a judge issued a bench warrant. He eventually showed and paid the $1,000 cash bail and was due back in court in July.
"I have to be aware of my surroundings because anyone could just come and push you through the train station and, unfortunately, you could just die," Bronx resident Rafael Escalante said.
"It really frightens me because I'm at this station a lot early in the morning and I don't see enough police presence," Bronx resident Mary Thorbourne said.
"That's why I always stay to this side of the train because if you don't you might get pushed," Escalante added.
Earlier this month, as part of a subway safety plan, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $20 million to add 10 outreach teams to the subways comprised of clinicians alongside police officers.
Therapist Antonio Vincent said he has been deployed before.
"If a cop and a social worker respond, they can triage the situation, which I've done before, and provide support," Vincent said. "Mental health services need to be expanded here in Harlem."
His advice for riders who may feel on edge is if you don't feel safe, listen to that voice and leave.
Anyone with information about the latest crimes 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.
