BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) – A Brooklyn man is accused of a hate crime after pulling out a knife and beating a gay man in an unprovoked attack that began on a subway train, according to officials.

Yeshayahuw Carraway, 41, of the Bronx, is charged with third-degree assault as a hate crime, menacing, and aggravated assault, according to court documents. Carraway’s arraignment comes during Pride Month; he was allowed to be released and will return to court at a later date.

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Back in January of this year during the morning commute, Carraway allegedly approached a 24-year-old victim and began harassing them. Carraway allegedly asked, “What are you looking at f—ing f—-t? You’re a sissy,” according to police.

The defendant then allegedly followed the victim off an L train and to the mezzanine.  Carraway then allegedly took out a knife and punched the victim multiple times in his face and body, according to court documents.

The defendant fled the station after the attack and was later arrested following an investigation.  The victim suffered minor injuries, according to authorities.

“Every New Yorker deserves to ride the subway without being threatened or attacked because of who they are or who someone perceives them to be,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. “This defendant is accused of targeting a stranger with homophobic slurs, following him through a station, threatening him with a knife, and repeatedly punching him. We will seek accountability for this alleged hate crime and will always stand with Brooklyn’s LGBTQ+ community against violence, intimidation, and hate.”

Carraway is expected to return to court on August 12, 2026, according to court documents.

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.

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