Charges Against Philadelphia Nonprofit Founder for Train Incident

The founder of an anti-violence nonprofit in Philadelphia, Rosalind Pichardo-Kent, faces multiple charges after allegedly attacking a woman with a box cutter on a SEPTA train in early July, CBS News reported recently.

Pichardo-Kent, who runs Operation Save Our City, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault alongside five other counts linked to assault and harassment, as detailed in the incident report. This incident took place on July 17, when SEPTA officials indicated that transit police were called to the Market-Frankford Line at 8th Avenue due to a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, officers encountered two women involved in an altercation, both of whom had sustained injuries.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the victim recounted that during the altercation, Pichardo-Kent expressed frustration about “how rude the young men were” and insisted she had the right to ask a man sitting on a platform bench to move. As reported, the dispute escalated further when they boarded the train, leading to a physical confrontation.

During this struggle, Pichardo-Kent allegedly used a box cutter, causing the victim to feel heat on her face and notice “a lot of blood.” Court documents revealed that the assault left serious wounds on her cheek and chest, requiring extensive medical treatment involving 70 stitches and surgical intervention to restore muscle movement.

Both women were subsequently hospitalized for their injuries, while Pichardo-Kent was taken into custody, as stated by CBS News.

Neither SEPTA nor Operation Save Our City has responded to inquiries from the media regarding the incident.

The mission of Operation Save Our City is to provide trauma-informed care, essential skills, and educational resources to those affected by homicide and violence. Additionally, it offers programs aimed at youth living in areas with high rates of violence.

The organization also runs Sunshine House, which serves as a community hub focused on harm reduction and support for individuals dealing with addiction and homelessness.

Pichardo-Kent expressed her frustration about the incident, describing it as indicative of broader safety concerns, highlighting her personal experience with loss due to gun violence in Philadelphia, including her brother’s unsolved case.