FILE – A NYPD police officer on the New York Subway.
Photo by Dean Moses
Police in Manhattan arrested a man who allegedly punched a straphanger moments before he was found lifeless in a Midtown subway station.
According to police sources, 21-year-old Nassadir Tate of Hillside, NJ, was arrested on March 15 on assault charges. Detectives are still looking to determine whether the punch caused the death of the 55-year-old male victim, whose identity has yet to be released.
Authorities say that Tate allegedly attacked the man in Penn Station just before 7 p.m. on the northbound C/E platform at the 34th Street-Penn Station stop. The punch came after the two men apparently bumped into one another, resulting in an argument.
Sources familiar with the incident report that the victim was conscious and alert for some time following the attack, and was seen walking around and using his cellphone before he collapsed.
After the victim collapsed, someone called 911 and alerted officers from the Midtown North Precinct and NYPD Transit District 2. Cops found the victim lying motionless on the northbound platform.
EMS responded and transported the man to Lenox Hill Hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead. Sources say the deceased had a history of cardiac-related issues.
Results of the autopsy from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are still pending.
Additional charges against Tate may be pending the results of the ongoing investigation.