A man accused of attempting to sexually assault a woman on a New York City subway Thursday has a troubling history of violent behavior, including an alleged attack on a toddler years ago, according to a Westchester County father.
Details of the Subway Incident
The victim of Thursday’s attack told police that she and the suspect were alone in a subway car on a W train when the man allegedly smashed her head against a pole and tried to sexually assault her. The assault occurred as the train approached Times Square Station.
In a fortunate turn of events, construction workers waiting on the platform heard the victim’s screams and rushed onto the subway car. They managed to hold the suspect down until NYPD officers arrived.
The suspect has been identified as 34-year-old Tyriek Martin.
A History of Violence
NYPD sources revealed that Martin has been arrested dozens of times for various offenses. His previous incidents include:
- 2022: Accused of throwing a metal can at a school crossing guard.
- August 2023: Arrested for another random attack; however, he was released shortly after both incidents.
One particularly disturbing accusation dates back nearly four years when Martin Fleurant, a father from Westchester County, claimed that Martin randomly attacked his 2-year-old daughter on the Lower East Side. The suspect allegedly hit the toddler with a heavy suitcase, leaving her with a permanent scar under her eye.
Despite the severity of the attack, the case was dismissed after Martin was deemed incompetent to stand trial due to mental health issues.
Public Outrage and Calls for Action
Now five years old, Fleurant’s daughter has physically recovered, but her family remains frustrated and fearful that Martin is still free to harm others.
“She was lucky that she didn’t lose her eye, and this guy is out there still hurting people,” Fleurant said. “This guy’s bad news.”
Fleurant has expressed his support for Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to make it easier to involuntarily commit individuals with severe mental illness who pose a danger to society.
“These people are out there, and they’re not getting care. And if they commit crimes or whatever, they catch them and release them,” Fleurant added.
The Ongoing Safety Concerns
Following the traumatic incident involving his daughter, Fleurant and his family moved to Scarsdale, seeking a safer environment. Although Fleurant still travels to New York City for work, he now prefers to drive instead of taking public transportation due to safety concerns.
The case has reignited discussions around the handling of mentally ill offenders in New York City and the need for stronger measures to ensure public safety, especially on public transportation systems.
Key Takeaways
- Suspect Identified: Tyriek Martin, 34, with a history of violent arrests.
- Subway Incident: Attempted sexual assault foiled by construction workers at Times Square Station.
- Previous Violent Acts: Accused of attacking a toddler in 2019; deemed incompetent to stand trial.
- Public Concerns: Calls for stricter mental health laws and better protection for the public.
The investigation remains ongoing, and many are calling for more substantial action to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
