$250,000 Bail for Man Accused of Shoving Woman Onto Subway Tracks

Police posted this wanted photo of the suspect, Samuel Junker, who they say is the man who pushed a 34-year-old woman off a Chambers Street subway platform. Prosecutors say he is seen on video following the victim into the station. Photo: NYPD

Bail was set at $250,000 for Samuel Junker, the 41-year-old homeless man accused of pushing a woman onto the subway tracks of the Chambers Street station’s 2,3 line around 11 p.m. on Aug. 29. 

Following the assault, according to the complaint, Junker had been stopped by police at West Thames Street and South End Avenue in Battery Park City and taken to Bellevue Hospital. One of the 1st Precinct officers, Geronimo Tyrell, later recognized him from a wanted flyer and arrested him on Aug. 31.

Junker is charged with attempted assault in the first degree and two counts of second degree assault.

According to the complaint, video footage shows the alleged attacker, wearing a red shirt, black pants and tan boots, following his victim down the subway stairs and speeding up behind her. Approaching the woman from behind, Junker pushed her off the southbound express platform, the complaint said. No train was arriving as bystanders helped the injured woman climb back onto the platform. The victim, identified by the New York Daily News as Xu Yanan, a recent immigrant from China, was taken to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital where she was treated for a leg fracture. 

“His only aim from when he entered the subway station was to push the victim on the tracks and escape immediately,” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Madeline Holbrook said during Junker’s Sept. 1 arraignment, according to the New York Post. His next court appearance is Sept. 6.

Police listed Junker’s address as a homeless shelter in White Plains, NY. He has a previous arrest in Georgia for indecent exposure, according to the Post.