Recently, a deranged homeless man used a folding knife to slash two UPS employees in a bloody conflict on a Midtown subway train. On a Tuesday morning, just before 5:00 am and only about 50 minutes after MTA had re-opened, the UPS employees were on the Brooklyn-bound N train. They were heading to work when according to police, Finn Barbuto began arguing with them as the train arrived at the Lexington Avenue/59th Street station.
The Attack
As the confrontation escalated, Mr. Barbuto pulled out a folding knife and ran toward the two workers. He cut one on the hand and chest. The other suffered knife slashes on the wrist and forearm.
According to one of the workers, Dan Baker, the homeless man hadn’t said anything – he just stabbed Mr. Baker’s co-worker first.
Mr. Baker’s co-worker acted fast. He threw his coat over Mr. Barbuto. Mr. Baker then rushed the attacker, jumped on him, and took the knife away from him. Mr. Baker didn’t realize he’d been cut until he wrestled the knife away. They held the attacker down until the cops arrested him. Then the victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
After being subdued, but before the police arrived, the attacker was asked why he did it. He responded that he was on medication.
Both UPS employees believed it was a wanton act of aggression – they hadn’t said or done anything to provoke the attack before Mr. Barbuto started screaming at them.
Police charged Mr. Barbuto with assault and deadly weapon possession. He was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Increased NYPD Deployment
The violent attack happened during a period when NYPD has deployed extra cops in the subway system. This was in response to an increase in attacks, including two deaths and mentally ill people actually pushing passengers out onto the tracks.
The rising crime in the subway system reflects the broader increase in violent crimes experienced recently. Shootings have almost doubled, and there’s been nearly a 50% increase in murders. From June 2020 to September 2020, more people were shot than in the entire year of 2019.
Sparked by the George Floyd incident and further fueled by Covid-19 isolation, the crime wave shows no sign of receding. So, police will be out in higher numbers – not just in subways but everywhere.
Call Us Today
The NYPD’s increased deployment on our subways and everywhere else is a well-intentioned response to the recent rise in crimes in our society. The problem is that sometimes increased deployment leads to overzealousness in law enforcement, and innocent people can get entangled in the web.
This may happen to you. If you get caught up in this increased law enforcement effort, you need representation from our experienced criminal defense attorneys. Don’t wait any longer to get the help you need. Contact Arkady Bukh, a New York criminal defense attorney recognized across the nation.
