Who is Jamar Banks? A Homeless Man Wanted in 2 New York Subway Stabbings
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| A homeless man wanted in two NYC subway stabberies, including an attack on an MTA cleaner, is apprehended by police. |
Jamar Banks, 52, was apprehended two days after police identified him as a suspect in the attacks and sought public assistance to locate him. A law enforcement source revealed that Banks has a lengthy criminal history, with over 80 prior arrests.
The first stabbing occurred Wednesday morning around 9:40 a.m. on an uptown No. 2 train at the 14th Street and Seventh Avenue station in Manhattan. Police say Banks approached a 31-year-old man, started an argument, and then stabbed him in the back before fleeing the scene. The victim was transported to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.
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| Jamar Banks, 52, is led from the NYPD Transit District 2 headquarters in Manhattan on Sunday |
The second incident took place the following day at approximately 6:10 a.m. on the northbound 5 train platform at the Pelham Parkway station in the Bronx. Banks allegedly confronted a 47-year-old off-duty MTA station cleaner, initiated a verbal dispute, and stabbed him in the back and armpit. The victim was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in stable condition, while Banks escaped.
Banks, who resides at a homeless shelter on Blake Avenue in East New York, now faces charges of assault and weapon possession. His arraignment is pending in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Speaking on Sunday, MTA CEO Janno Lieber noted that felony crimes on the transit system had decreased by 12% in 2024 compared to 2019. However, he acknowledged the impact of high-profile incidents like these, saying, “We catch all of these maniacs. We need the criminal justice system to put them away.”
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| Jamar Banks, the man wanted in connection to two separate stabbings in the New York City subway system |
The arrests underscore ongoing concerns about safety in the New York City subway system, despite declining crime rates.
Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her worries about Friday's subway violence. According to her, the suspects in numerous cases have suffered from "serious untreated mental illness." The governor said she will include new legislation in the executive budget to change New York's involuntary commitment laws. To improve care, she also intends to invest $1 billion.
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