NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Amira Hunter, the woman who slammed a metal water bottle into the head of a subway cellist in a Manhattan subway station earlier this year, was indicted on Wednesday, prosecutors said.
Hunter, 23, was charged with second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
“Subway musicians bring joy to New York’s bustling subway system, and they deserve to perform in a safe environment. As alleged, Amira Hunter’s random and violent action left a subway musician in immense pain,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.
At about 5:47 p.m. on Feb. 13, a musician was performing on an electric cello in the 34th Street-Herald Square subway station when Hunter, who was watching the performance, allegedly picked up his metal water bottle and struck the cellist in the back of the head.
Hunter, of East New York, Brooklyn, fled the station after the attack.
The assault caused the victim—identified as Iain Forrest, 29—swelling and substantial pain. The attack was captured on video, and the medical student posted the footage to his X account to help aid the NYPD in their investigation.
The defendant was later arrested on Feb. 28, police said. At the time she had an active bench warrant out for her arrest in two cases of petit larceny, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors reportedly asked for $15,000 cash bail or $45,000 cash bond at her Feb. 29 arraignment and noted that Hunter did not appear for three of her five court dates in other criminal cases last year.
Despite this, Hunter was released under supervision.
In a video posted around the time of Hunter’s arrest, Forrest said that “Since sharing my experience I’ve heard from other performers who have faced similar instances of assaults, harassment, robbery while performing in the subway.”
“It’s clear there’s a need for better protection and communication for subway performers,” he stated before announcing his formation of the SPAG, or Subway Performers Advocacy Group.
Forrest, who said he was attacked twice while performing in the subway within a year, has continued performing—just not in the transit system. His first public concert this summer is being held on June 6.
“Anyone who threatens the safety of New Yorkers using our public transportation will be held accountable,” Bragg said Wednesday.