Violent Incidents in NYC Involving MTA Workers

Over the weekend, two MTA employees were attacked in separate incidents in Queens and Brooklyn, just hours apart, officials have reported.

Just after 6 a.m. on Sunday, an individual, identified as Lewis Mizukiri, 38, allegedly assaulted a train worker at the Jamaica-179th Avenue subway station. The man reportedly became enraged and struck the 52-year-old employee.

The impact left the worker in significant pain, particularly in the face and ears, although he declined medical assistance at the scene.

Mizukiri was subsequently detained by police and charged with second-degree assault and harassment. A judge set his bail at $7,500 in cash or $22,000 in bonds during his court appearance on Monday.

Records indicate that Mizukiri had also been held due to unresolved driving fines since March 2019 connected to a previous incident involving alcohol.

Later that morning, around 7:40 a.m., another incident unfolded when a woman attacked an MTA attendant at a Brooklyn stop. The attendant had allowed a bus to depart from Broadway and Hooper Street without her on board.

The victim, 49, had given the go-ahead for the bus driver to leave, prompting 32-year-old Selen Cruz, who had missed the bus, to retaliate by throwing an unknown liquid at him and hitting him in the mouth.

Like the previous worker, Cruz refused medical help when police arrived. Authorities apprehended her since she was known to frequent the area.

She faces charges including harassment and attempted assault. Despite having no prior arrests, Cruz was released during her court appearance at Brooklyn Crown Court, although prosecutors had requested supervised release.