Stabbing Incident at Penn Station Injures Six
A suspect is now in custody following a stabbing incident at New York City’s Penn Station that resulted in six injuries, one of which is serious, according to police.
At around 7:02 p.m. local time on Sunday, the New York City Fire Department received reports of an unprovoked attack near a New Jersey Transit stop, involving multiple bystanders.
Amtrak police, who are leading the investigation, apprehended the suspect at the scene close to Platforms 5 and 6. The suspect has been identified as 51-year-old Hector Deleon, a homeless individual described as emotionally disturbed.
“Early this afternoon, Amtrak Police responded to a report of a stabbing at New York Penn Station,” Amtrak stated. “The suspect has been arrested and an investigation is underway.”
Emergency workers reported that the six injured civilians, aged between 16 and 65, included one person with severe injuries, two with moderate injuries, and two others with minor injuries. All were transported to Bellevue Hospital. A sixth victim was taken to a nearby facility, with all expected to recover.
The motive for the stabbing is still unknown.
A witness mentioned to WCBS TV that officers had to use pepper spray before they could detain the suspect.
“We had to hire other officers to get him,” the witness noted.
Another observer described the suspect as “just screaming and shaking his head,” adding, “I saw him once and I didn’t think he could do anything.”
New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani commented on the situation, expressing his condolences.
“My heart is with all those injured, their loved ones, and all those shaken by this unacceptable violence. I wish each victim a full and speedy recovery,” he shared on social media. “We are grateful to the Amtrak Police Department and first responders who acted quickly to apprehend the suspect and provide emergency medical treatment,” he added.
This incident took place during an exceptionally busy time for Manhattan’s transport system. Hundreds of thousands of travelers are in the city as tourists flock for the upcoming FIFA World Cup regional event and the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals game.
Safety concerns have been raised especially with less than a day until the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. President Trump is anticipated to attend, and there was a heightened security presence involving the Secret Service and NYPD.
City Auditor Mark Levin highlighted the broader implications for the city’s mental health system, suggesting that the suspect might have been undergoing a mental health crisis.
“There are many important questions to answer about whether the suspect slipped through the cracks in our porous mental health safety net,” Levine posted on social media.
