Subway conductor fought back after allegedly getting punched by passenger in Manhattan
EAST HARLEM, Manhattan (WABC) -- A subway conductor fought back when a passenger allegedly became violent in Manhattan overnight Friday.
It was a busy night for transit police at 125th/Lexington Avenue station in East Harlem.
The MTA conductor had to be taken to the hospital after the chaotic incident, which happened around midnight.
Citizen App video captured the moment after police took 30-year-old Julio Leonard into custody.
They say moments before, he punched the subway conductor who had asked him to stop holding the doors of a 4 train open.
Police say the conductor then punched Leonard in return.
They were both treated for injuries, and the suspect was arrested and charged with felony assault.
The Transport Workers Union President Tony Utano released a statement, saying: "Riders don't fully understand how difficult and dangerous working in the subway can be. This terrible incident is an ugly example. This was a disgusting and outrageous attack, and we will do everything we can to see that this criminal gets the punishment he deserves in court."
Police say there isn't an increase of crime on the subway and that usually, there are six or seven a day. But there are more cameras, they say, which allows more to be captured.
This incident came just hours after another man was slashed at the same subway station. Eyewitness News spoke to the victim exclusively.
----------
