A homeless man is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly knocking an off-duty cop onto a Manhattan subway track Tuesday night with a sucker-punch, law enforcement sources said.
Police reported that the incident unfolded at around 7:35 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the 3rd Avenue station on the L line in the East Village.
Sources familiar with the case said the off-duty, 24-year-old cop was allegedly punched in the back of the head by 28-year-old Aaron Walker; the reason for the argument was not immediately known.
Sources said that during the encounter, the officer fell to the platform and rolled onto the tracks. A good Samaritan helped pull the officer back up to the platform before a train pulled into the station.
The cop suffered pain in the head and body, and EMS rushed him to Bellevue Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.
Meanwhile, Walker, who resides in a Harlem homeless shelter, fled on the tracks where he was arrested on Union Square. He faces an array of criminal charges, including attempted murder, assault, attempted assault, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct. Sources say Walker has an extensive criminal history.
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry railed that Walker should not have been on the streets.
“Once again, our broken criminal justice system has put police officers and all New Yorkers in harm’s way. We’re thankful that our brother is recovering, but our leaders need to face the fact that if police officers aren’t safe on our streets and subways, nobody is,” Hendry said.
amNewYork asked Walker why he attacked the officer as he was whisked to central booking, but he did not respond.
