NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Two men were indicted in two separate attacks on MTA employees that occurred last month, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr. announced Thursday.
Rashon Eagle, 43, was charged with one count of assault and one count of criminal possession of a weapon and Abdellahi Mohammed, 25, is facing two assault charges.
According to court documents, at approximately 12:06 p.m. on Febr. 10, Eagle was riding the M15 bus in Lower Manhattan and became irate when the bus was stuck in traffic, yelling profanities at the bus driver. When the bus made its final stop at the South Ferry Whitehall terminal, all of the passengers exited the bus except for Eagle, who continued yelling then punched the partition where the bus driver was seated, and threatened to stab the bus driver if he didn't get out of his seat.
Fearful of being stabbed, officials said the bus driver got out of his seat and Eagle continued yelling and became physically aggressive, swinging at the driver in an attempt to punch him. The bus driver was able to block the punch and tackle Eagle.
They wrestled on the floor of the bus, where Eagle repeatedly scratched the driver's face, eyes, and hands, causing them to bleed, prosecutors said.
Eagle then allegedly reached into his back waistband and brandished a pocketknife, which he opened to stab the driver. The bus driver was able to wrestle the knife out of Eagle's hands.
NYPD ferry terminal officers immediately responded, arrested Eagle and recovered the knife.
The bus driver was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries, which include blurred vision to his left eye that has not yet healed and for which he needs to seek additional medical treatment, police said.
At approximately 5:50 a.m. on Feb. 14, Abdellahi Mohammed was at the southbound platform of the Wall Street 4,5 subway line in the Financial District when he punched an MTA worker in the face after she approached him while lying under a bench, according to court documents. The unprovoked assault fractured her eye socket in addition to swelling and bruising to her eye.
Mohammed also punched a Good Samaritan that came to help the MTA employee, fracturing and sustaining a laceration to his nose.
Both victims were treated at New York Downtown Hospital.
"Every day, MTA workers ensure that our public transportation operates smoothly, helping millions of New Yorkers arrive safely to their destinations. As alleged, Rashon Eagle and Abdellahi Mohammed assaulted two of these workers, who were just doing their jobs, in addition to a Good Samaritan," DA Bragg said. "MTA workers and passengers should not have to fear for their safety when on our buses and subways, and those who jeopardize their safety will be held accountable."
