Man wanted in slashing of woman on subway in NoHo in custody

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The suspect wanted in the slashing of a 71-year-old woman riding the subway in NoHo is now in police custody.

Earlier Tuesday, authorities released a sketch the suspect wanted in the slashing attack. Damon Knowles, 21, was later arrested, and charged with assault with intent to cause disfigurement and assault with intent to cause serious physical injury.

Carmen Rivera was attacked by a total stranger Monday morning on the D train, just as it approached the Broadway-Lafayette station.

"Listen to me, me personally, I'm not afraid, I've never been afraid," said Carmen Rivera, slashing victim.

She's back on the D-train just a day after she was sliced on the left side of her face, a 4-inch gash that required 20 stitches.

"He pretended that he fell on top of me and that's when he slashed my face," Rivera said.

The seamstress was headed to work in the Garment District Monday morning around 7 when police say the suspect randomly attacked the 71-year-old with a knife or razor blade.

Earlier Tuesday, authorities released a sketch the suspect wanted in the slashing attack. They also released images from surveillance cameras of the suspect wearing red sweat pants and a black jacket.

From surveillance video provided by the NYPD:

It is still unclear what kind of blade was used to slice her left cheek.

"I didn't know, because I didn't feel no pain, and he just flew out, he flew, he flew, he was flying, so they couldn't get him, they tried to get him but he was flying and I guess he got some wings under his shoes," Carmen said.

"I'm just covering it. Its 20 stitches, he did a good job, kept them very close. I have no pain, thank God," Rivera said.

The suspect never said a word, according to Rivera's sister. But the 71-year-old victim has a few words for the suspect.

"I hope God forgive him and he should repent. Because this could destroy his life, he's a young kid maybe 17, 20, who knows," Rivera said.

This is the third random slashing this month. A 24-year-old woman was attacked in Chelesa on Jan. 6, and a 30-year-old social worker from Newark was assaulted two weeks ago in the East Village and had to receive 150 stitches. Arrests were made in both of those incidents.