In downtown Manhattan, authorities took a man into custody following an assault on a bus driver, according to police sources.
Rashon Eagle, aged 45, reportedly attacked a 58-year-old M15 bus operator around noon on Saturday. Anthony Osamor, a ticket seller for Statue of Liberty cruises, captured the incident on camera.
Osamor recounted, “The driver was urging him to ‘Get off the bus. Leave the bus.'” He expressed concern for the driver’s well-being but was unable to intervene personally. Instead, his colleague alerted the authorities.
“I was frightened,” Osamor admitted. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported that Eagle had been shouting and using profanity towards the driver due to the perceived slow progress of the bus. Upon reaching South Ferry around noon, Eagle briefly exited the bus before returning to attack the driver, wielding a knife, according to MTA statements.
“I feel so sorry for him because his eye was red—full of blood,” Osamor shared. “He brought out a knife—I think it was a pocket knife.” Thankfully, the driver managed to defend himself and disarm Eagle, detaining him until law enforcement arrived.
Eagle was subsequently taken into custody and is facing charges of assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, and menacing. Assaulting a public transit worker can result in up to seven years of imprisonment upon conviction. Passengers of the M15 bus informed NY1 that they have witnessed other assaults on the bus, with one woman recalling her own experience as a victim.
“Yes, it worries me,” stated bus rider Carmen Gutierrez. “The last time I was on the bus, I was punched because I asked a man if I could have a seat as his bag was occupying it. I had to involve the police. People need to be cautious when using public transit these days.”
According to MTA records, there were 70 reported assaults on MTA bus workers last year, with 76 incidents reported in 2022. In a statement, Frank Annicaro, the senior vice president of the New York City Transit Department of Buses and MTA Bus Company, condemned the attack as “outrageous, utterly unacceptable, and potentially tragic.”
“It is nonsensical for individuals to take out their frustrations over traffic congestion on transit staff who are simply trying to transport New Yorkers to their destinations. It is unacceptable that a bus operator suffered facial injuries requiring hospitalization as a result,” Annicaro declared.
