Overview
- The attack, which occurred Wednesday evening on Sept. 30, left 59‑year‑old Mesias Lojano dead after he was stabbed aboard a J train near the Woodhaven Boulevard station.
- Police arrested 25‑year‑old Jyrell Thomas after riders chased him off the train and he was taken into custody on a nearby roof; prosecutors have charged him with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
- Bystander and surveillance video of the stabbing and the pursuit circulated widely and helped direct officers to the suspect.
- Authorities have said the suspect appeared emotionally disturbed and he was hospitalized for a psychiatric evaluation while investigators review whether the assault was unprovoked or followed an argument.
- The killing is noted as the sixth subway homicide this year and it is likely to deepen scrutiny of transit safety as prosecutors and police analyze video, witness accounts, and surveillance footage ahead of formal court proceedings.