NEW YORK (WOLF) — A man has been indicted on a murder charge in the death of a Jessup native who was fatally shoved down a flight of subway stairs in Manhattan last month.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Wednesday that a grand jury indicted 32-year-old Rhamell Burke on one count of second-degree murder in the death of 76-year-old Ross Falzone.
According to prosecutors, Falzone was walking toward the entrance of the 18th Street subway station in Chelsea on the night of May 7 when Burke approached him from behind and shoved him down a staircase without warning or provocation.
Authorities allege Falzone and Burke had not interacted prior to the attack.
Court documents state that Falzone had reached the top of the stairs leading to the station and briefly paused when Burke approached from behind and forcefully pushed him with both hands.
Emergency responders transported Falzone to Bellevue Hospital with severe injuries, including head trauma and broken ribs. Prosecutors said his condition deteriorated due to a brain bleed, and he died in the early morning hours of May 8.
“This unprovoked and terrifying act of violence committed against an older New Yorker shook our city,” Bragg said in a statement. “My thoughts are with Mr. Falzone’s loved ones as they mourn his tragic loss.”
Authorities said Burke had been taken into custody earlier that same day after allegedly acting erratically and brandishing a stick. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation and later released. Prosecutors allege the fatal attack occurred approximately five hours later.
Falzone was a retired special education teacher who earned a doctoral degree from Columbia University. Originally from Jessup, he spent much of his career in education and later lived on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Burke remains charged with second-degree murder. A trial date has not yet been announced.