Gothamist: Pregnant Couple Stabbed on C Train

Peter C. Brajole

Fri, 21 Apr 2006 09:32:25 -0500

Yo, Peter C. Brajole here. Although I currently reside in the Nassau County area, I grew up in da Bwonx. As a real New Yawka, I hate anyone who was born anywhere else and think they're all a bunch of humanism-lovin' Academic stinkas. Don't ever look at anyone ever! Not in the eyes, not even their torso! I sell Kias in the Nassau County area, but I'm looking to expand to the Essex County area. The subway is dangerous. If you ride it and you are not a real New Yawka, you will die! A new Kia, however, will save ya life!

Larry

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:58:50 -0500

I always wear sunglasses in the subway when it is daylight. And I stare!

anon

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:58:09 -0500

I was born in Manhattan in 1961. I remember when it didn't matter whether you looked at people or not, you could be jumped anytime, anywhere. You could feel the menace in the air in all 5 boroughs, like a pack of rabid hyenas on every corner. I left NYC for probably 20 years. When I came back, it seemed that most of the menace was magically gone. "What happened?" I asked my friends. "Where are all the homeless people? Where is the menace, the crime, the muggings, the hookers on every street, the murder and mayhem?". My friend responded, deadpan, "They're all in jail. Don't worry, though, they'll be back." NY is about nostalgia I guess, good or bad, but it sure seemed very white when I was there last. Lots of millionaire twenty somethings with no memory of what it was like when they layed off all those cops and emptied the asylums in the 70s because the city was almost bankrupt. I guess it's better now, I just wonder how it got that way. Million dollar one bedroom apartments? Huh? Bottom line: I still don't look people in the eye for longer than one second. NYC or not. Unless I know them and trust them. And you can't know how you'll react to someone being beaten up or stabbed right in front of you until it happens right in front of you. You just can't know, so why bother judging a situation you weren't there to experience? I love nyc. There's no place like home.

Hot Chick

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:38:36 -0500

People, the golden rule of a staring contest is always make sure your mark is smaller than you and that you could take that person in a fight. If you can't make sure you have a sharpened pencil to stab in their necks.

Bickle

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 14:32:34 -0500

ABC girl versus me, him her: It's a half-generational thing between you two. The near-geriatric "ABC girl" came of age when NYC reached its all-time crime peak in the late 80's/early 90's. The diaper-wearing "me, him, her" came of age in the early 2000's, when crime dipped to its lowest levels. Same city, different years. I personally don't give a shit either way. I poke people in the eyes on the train. So take that, kids.

ABC Girl

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 14:04:00 -0500

me, him, her: Your "upereastside blueblood type" comment was funny. Sorry to hear you've had a few violent encounters. Living here has made me question everyone. All are guilty until proven innocent as far as I'm concerned. Someone that comes over to ask me for the time becomes someone trying to rob me or push me in front of an oncoming train (a la Kendra Webdale). I don't believe most NYers want to be cold or aloof, we just can't trust anyone. For the record, I've never had anything stolen or been a victim of a violent encounter. I'd like to think it's because I avoid all contact with NYers while in transit... could just be I've been lucky so far...

cdjames

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 14:03:06 -0500

Is everyone missing the fact that EDDIE MURPHY is the perp in this story? Maybe the woman just didn't want to "Party All The Time"

rev pays

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 13:50:46 -0500

That's where the saying "be a good witness" comes into play. You can't really do anything when a crazy person has a knife. Sure the knife may not kill you but it will be bloody. They can't outrun police radios.

realist

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 13:49:51 -0500

To all the fearmongering whimps: please go home, lock your door immediately and hide under your bed. To everyone else in the world: this shit happens. Looking at someone doesn't mean this will happen to you. That said, don't stare at someone who obviously has nothing to lose.

tofubiker

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 13:48:24 -0500

I was at the front of this C train when this incident happened somewhere near the read of the train yesterday. I didn't see what happened but, I disagree w/ people saying that no one did anything to help. I saw at least 2 people run to the front of the train to tell the operator what was happening. And it seemed like undercover police were on the scene pretty quickly. There are very few facts in this piece, so it's idiot for people to make all these assumptions about what took place and what actions people on the train took. I mean, they caught they guy at 34th street before the C train even left W4th street station. I'm sure that was w/ the help of witnesses. And what do people expect passengers to do when this guy has a knife? Just my 2 cents....

me, him, her

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 13:45:21 -0500

abc girl, I've lived here my whole life, 26 years and counting. I am third generation New Yorker, and not the uppereastside blueblood type, so dont' give me this nativist pack-your-bags bullsht. I don't plan on going anywhere soon. If you haven't noticed, the subways are far different than they were 20 or 30 years ago. I've had things stolen. I've had violent ecounters. But those single acts don't win out over the 99% of the time when this city and its people are frankly wonderful. New Yorkers are busy people, and helpful and friendly does not mean bright eyed and effusively smiling.

ABC Girl

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 13:34:32 -0500

me, him, her: I was born in NYC nearly 40 years ago, back when subways were the place to go if you wanted to get robbed, raped or killed. You keep living in your bubble where NYers are "consistently helpful and friendly" and see how long you last living here-- something tells me it won't be long before you pack your bags (with whatever hasn't been stolen) and take off back to where you came from...

him, her, me, you

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 13:05:24 -0500

you're right, eryximachus! A pregnant woman and her boyfriend getting strabbed is definitely the fault of "egalitarian" academics! If only they didn't believe in equality! And way to blame the supposed stupidity of people who come from the "third world" and then blame the egalitarian academics from the "world over." no contradiction there. Oh, what are we going to do with these dogs from the third world?!? They must be unintelligent, because they can't even learn english! I suppose it is their "sub-normal" intelligence that yields higher test scores than american kids in subjects across the board. solipsism, baby, married to jingoism and extreme ignorance. gotta love it!

Eryximachus

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:44:40 -0500

You apparently aren't aware that New York City contains a large number of third worlders with sub-normal intelligence. The more stupid you are, the more incapable you are of controlling your instincts. Stare a dog in the eyes for an extended period of time. He won't like it. Many "residents" of this city are not far above animals. The reason stuff like this happens is egalitarian academics come to this city from the world over and assume everyone here is just like them. Solipsism baby.

me, him, her

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:34:45 -0500

NEVER make eye contact in nyc? Anyone who dares live here? Have you lived here? By and large the people here are consistently helpful and friendly. An anomoly does not a 'golden rule' make. What kind of fearful world are you people living in? Sure, you don't grill someone consistently--that's clearly threatening posture--but looking people in the eyes for a brief moment actually makes you less of a potential victim. this confirms the stereotype that NYers are cold and aloof? To move away from a man wielding a knife is not the bravest of acts, but it is sane. Not cold and aloof.

chris

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:31:33 -0500

I'm not surprised no one helped her. They had this type of behavior pegged down in 1967's "The Incident". Basically it is movie about these two guys who terrorize the passengers on an R train all the way from Queens to Times Sq. The whole thing that participates the incident is when one guy decides to stand up for this homeless person they were picking on. It really is an excellent movie, I think any decent new yorker should check it out.

Alliterator

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:28:10 -0500

Staring on the subway is common and will eventually happene to anyone at least twice while living here. The thing is stare for only 1-2 SECONDS, anymore thne that and is bound to get ugly!

me

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:03:59 -0500

Pregnant "couple?" I'd like to see his episiotomy/cesarean scar after that kid's born!

Tom

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:02:19 -0500

Once, at the 1st Ave, BKLYN bound side of the L train, I sat down on the opposite end of an empty bench from this Militant, black Islam guy. It was late at night and I dozed off waiting for the train. He started spitting wads of chewed up food at me startling me. Before I realized how stupid it would be to get in a fight with a crazy person i was shouting at him.. but i walked over to him and said "you know what? you're a crazy f***ing a** hole and i realize that so fu** off" and i went to the other side of the station. Sure enough, he follows me to the oposite end of the station with his little pamphlet/incence cart. But instead of screwing around with me he was distracted by an attractive black woman sitting on the bench. He sat next to her and began to bother her. She got up and went to the other side of the station. There were enough people there by that point that he couldn't get away with anything too out of control. Train came. Cut to a month or two later: long story short: i run into him in a dark Brooklyn bar with a stack of old hardcore porn mags... he keeps grabbing some womans back and she ignores him. I see it it and i go over and tell him to get the f*** out or I'll call the police. I proceed to shout/stare him out the door while he acts tough... etc...

ABC GIrl

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:00:22 -0500

NEVER make eye contact in NYC. That's the Golden Rule, and it should be taught to anyone who dares to live here or visit here--especially tourists. You should always be very aware of everyone around you but NEVER make eye contact, unless you're prepared to battle... sad but true.

Doofiz

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:46:51 -0500

I wish there were pictures to verify my assumptions of what both groups of people look like.

smitty

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:34:14 -0500

I was on the subway once and this crazy man starting getting in these poor female tourists (you know the type, middle-aged, young daughter, fanny pack, etc) and saying "WHITE TRASH" repeatedly right in their faces. Poor tourists. I felt bad for them.

emdashes

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:32:49 -0500

Paging Kitty Genovese!

Judas Iscariot

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:31:49 -0500

Exactly. Finally someone who has some common sense. Why in the world would you tempt fate with God knows who in a staring contest while you're pregnant especially in an enclosed space like a subway car in NYC of all places. In a Moscow, Paris, or London subway car, please, go ahead and stare down as many people as you like, but not in nyc please. You're only asking for trouble. Common sense isn't so common after all.

rev pays

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:23:22 -0500

Here's what the other passengers did when they saw it going down. GASP! Nothing to see here, move along. In the end, as a poster mentioned above, you really are alone because even my family didn't give a rat's ass. That's the City for ya.

Gary

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:18:42 -0500

Reminds me of the time awhile back on the A train going uptown. I sat across from a guy who was spread out over the set of 3 seats. He must not have liked that I was in his "space" because he started to spit on the ground near my feet, with each spit getting closer to me. Instead of saying 'f*ck off' to the weirdo, I simply got up and moved to the next car at the next stop. Why tempt fate here people? You never know what the person next to you has in his/her pocket.

anon

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:14:50 -0500

It's pretty pathetic that a pregnant woman and her boyfriend are getting attacked with a knife and the rest of the passengers run to the other end of the car.

CatFan

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:12:40 -0500

Is anyone else just slightly alarmed that no other passengers tried to help? Seriously, a crowded train and nobody does a thing...except run to the other cars? Those people who witnessed that attack and did absolutely nothing to help out the victims ought to be ashamed of themselves. Just goes to show you, no matter how many people you know, or friends you may have, you are really always alone in this city.

Papercutninja

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:12:15 -0500

Maybe we should stop Bronx residents from entering Manhattan. They're no good anyway.

smitty

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 11:04:13 -0500

Yeah, people are crazy. She may have just glanced at him and said something like "go away" when he started ranting about her staring at him.

sarah

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:57:18 -0500

Uhm... this makes me very glad that I changed cars the time I was on the L-train and some nutty guy suddenly yelled "STOP STARING" at me. For the record, I wasn't even looking at him. Gothamist posters need to chill. Clearly the guy was a nutcase and the couple not to blame in any way whatsoever.

Kojak

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:46:50 -0500

True If thats the case, then who knows what tipped him off.

Phil

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:45:58 -0500

I learned a long time ago not to stare at people in the subway. Ten years ago, I was visiting NYC with my girlfriend. We were on the A or C train going to Penn Station and I noticed this weird-looking bald guy with big ears sitting across from us. I must have looked at him a little longer than he liked, because he flipped me off. And not just a quick flash of the middle finger, either -- he held his finger up for a good 10-15 seconds while staring at me with a hateful look on his face. My girlfriend and I sat there uncomfortably until we got to the station with this wacko and his middle finger across from us. But at least we didn't get stabbed.

rev pays

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:45:26 -0500

Yes, it happens and did happened to me. And, I wasn't even staring. Some people just want confrontation. That's just the way it is, whether you're in a Yankee or Giant's game, stuff happens.

S.D.

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:43:59 -0500

Kojak, Suppose he was staring them down and they just kept an eye on him? Also, the NYT article is lacking in details: The victims said they spoke to him, but not what was said. In any case, I'm glad they got that guy off the streets...

Judas Iscariot

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:43:15 -0500

"ummm, guys, i don't care if she was staring at him for 10 minutes and mumbling, "stupid motherfucker" under her breath, he stabbed her! it was a vicious, random act of violence. she couldn't do anything to prevent it... and neither can you. stop blaming the victim." ummm are you on some sort of crack or something?? You think staring some guy down for 10 minutes in addition to mumbling "stupid motherfucker" isn't an invitation to have some sort of violent act visiting on you and she couldn't have avoided it after doing all of that is just sheer naivete and stupidity. You won't last very long in this city.

Kojak

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:35:22 -0500

No one is blaming her for this, but she is obviously lacking in the common sense department. If you stare at people in the subway like that, you’re likely going to get a response. (Though a stabbing is not the response that would come to mind) It just goes to show there are lots of crazy people out there... This has happened before in NYC, and it wont be the last time sad to say.

saturnine_on_si

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:17:19 -0500

ummm, guys, i don't care if she was staring at him for 10 minutes and mumbling, "stupid motherfucker" under her breath, he stabbed her! it was a vicious, random act of violence. she couldn't do anything to prevent it... and neither can you. stop blaming the victim.

Alex

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:04:07 -0500

I think this rule is not absolute. On the subway, fine. But I rememeber visiting NY for the first time as an adult and being taken aback with how much people checked each other out. Once I moved here it quickly became one of the things I loved most about the city- that people weren't afraid to engage each other, even if it was merely eye contact. An old friend visited me from California last weekend and when I asked him what he thought of the city so far, it was the first thing he mentioned.

tien

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:02:02 -0500

who the hell enters a staring contest with people on the subway??

Kojak

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 09:50:54 -0500

They didnt follow the 1 second rule... The guy must be a mental case.