A man in New York City has been charged with assault and other offenses after he intentionally ignited a container of flammable liquid and hurled it at a subway passenger, according to authorities on Sunday.
According to the New York Police Department, a man named Nile Taylor, aged 49, was taken into custody on Saturday. The arrest came after he allegedly hurled a flammable substance at a 23-year-old individual at a subway station in lower Manhattan. The authorities have charged Taylor with multiple offenses, which include attempted assault, assault, arson, reckless endangerment, petty larceny, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of stolen property.
In early February, police confirmed that Taylor was also accountable for a comparable assault.
Last month, PIX 11 News reported that police were on the lookout for a man accused of throwing a cup of flammable liquid on fire at individuals standing on a subway platform in Manhattan on Feb. 5. Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident.
According to NYPD data, New York City has witnessed a decrease in overall crime during the first quarter of 2024. However, multiple violent incidents on the city’s subway system have been a cause of concern for residents. These incidents involve several shootings in recent months, a train conductor who was slashed in the neck in late February, and a man who tragically lost his life after being pushed onto the tracks in March.
In a March announcement, New York Governor Kathy Hochul mobilized hundreds of National Guard members to provide added security at bustling train stations. Following suit, the NYPD recently dispatched an additional 800 officers to the subway to combat fare evasion.
Police: Victim sustained burns after his shirt was set on fire
The police transported the victim to New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center for treatment. In an interview with the New York Post, he shared that he had shielded his fiancee and cousin from the burning liquid. He also mentioned that he resorted to slapping himself with his hands to extinguish the flames.
According to sources from the police, Taylor was apprehended shortly after the incident when authorities traced a stolen phone back to him.
A man has been charged for setting a subway passenger on fire in New York City.
