A Muslim woman waiting for the train at a Brooklyn subway stop was thrown to the ground by a stranger yelling Islamaphobic remarks who then broke her phone, police said Tuesday.
The 20-year-old victim was sitting on the same bench as her attacker at the Ninth Ave. stop in Sunset Park when he started to rant about the war in Iran and “terrorists walking around” the city, police sources said.
He called her a terrorist and hurled Islamophobic slurs at her before grabbing her by the arms and throwing her to the floor of the Manhattan-bound D train platform about 10:50 a.m. March 17, cops said.
The mugger then yanked the cell phone out of the woman’s hands and threw it to the floor, damaging it, before storming off. It was not immediately clear if the woman was trying to record the suspect when he attacked her.
The woman was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Her attacker ran off and has not been caught.
The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident.
Police released an image of a man who they said attacked and robbed a 20-year-old Muslim woman at a Brooklyn subway station on March 17, 2026. (NYPD)
Cops released images of the suspect on Tuesday in the hopes that someone recognizes him.
Members of the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations also encouraged anyone with knowledge of the attacker to come forward.
“This alleged anti-Muslim attack is a reminder of the real dangers that bigotry poses to the safety of New Yorkers. No one should fear being targeted because of their faith or perceived identity,” CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said. “Acts of hate have no place in our city, and we must stand together to ensure justice for the victim and to help prevent future attacks.”
The mugger is described as having a light complexion and was wearing a black-and-white jacket, dark-colored pants and black shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.