NYC Local News: Straphanger Suffers Halloween Smackdown in Subway

Woman Attacked in Subway Elevator After Verbal Dispute with Stranger 

Manhattan Voice 

November 21, 2025

NYC LOCAL NEWS - A 68-year-old woman was attacked on Halloween, October 31, 2025, after what started as a verbal dispute on a northbound “1” train escalated into a violent assault at the Saint Nicholas Avenue and West 181st Street subway station.

Around 5:00 p.m., the victim, who was riding the train, got into a disagreement with an unidentified woman. What started as a heated exchange quickly turned physical when both women exited the train at the Saint Nicholas Avenue station.

The situation took a dangerous turn when the two women entered an elevator at the station. Without warning, the suspect began hitting the victim in the face several times with a closed fist. The blows caused noticeable swelling, bruising, and lacerations to the victim’s face.

After the assault, the suspect fled the scene on foot, disappearing into parts unknown. 

The victim, shaken but conscious, was treated by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at the scene and was later listed in stable condition.

Authorities are now looking for the suspect, who is described as a female in her late 30s or early 40s. She is around 5 foot 10, with a medium build and long dark hair. At the time of the attack, she was wearing a black hooded sweater, a black jacket, black pants, white sneakers, and a black mask, which partially covered her face.

As of now, the woman’s identity remains unknown, and police are asking anyone with information to come forward. Surveillance footage from the station is being reviewed, and authorities are hopeful that it might help identify the suspect.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @

NYPDTips.