A terrifying random attack on a New York City subway has left a 15-year-old boy injured after police say a masked stranger suddenly slashed him multiple times during a morning commute.
The attack happened around 7:15 a.m. on March 30 aboard a Manhattan-bound New York City Subway A train traveling through the Rockaways in New York City, according to the New York City Police Department.
Authorities say the suspect, believed to also be a teenager between 15 and 18 years old, attacked without warning. Investigators say the victim and attacker did not know each other and had no interaction before the violence.
Police say the suspect repeatedly cut the teen across the face before exiting the train at Broad Channel Station and fleeing.
Emergency responders transported the injured teen to St. John's Episcopal Hospital, where he was reported in stable condition.
Investigators released a description of the suspect, describing a slender individual with a dark complexion and brown eyes, wearing a black winter coat, blue surgical mask, blue jeans, and black shoes at the time of the attack.
As of the latest update, the suspect remains at large.
The incident comes amid ongoing concerns about transit safety. Police noted subway crime saw a slight 1 percent decrease overall during the month, though earlier months in the year saw increases partly attributed to seasonal enforcement challenges.
Random attacks like this often draw particular concern because they are unpredictable and increase fear among commuters even when overall crime trends fluctuate.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers as the investigation continues.