Queens LIRR rider slashed in the face on train: Video

Slashing on the LIRR

FOX 5 NY's Arthur Chi'en talked to riders at Grand Central who took the same route.

QUEENS - A Queens LIRR rider was slashed in the face during an assault on a train on Monday, according to the NYPD.

The incident happened on the 3:22 p.m. train from Grand Central to Far Rockaway.

Police say a 32-year-old man was blocking the doorway when a 27-year-old tried to get on board at Sutphin Blvd.

Words were exchanged, and then the 32-year-old followed the victim, took out a box cutter, and started slashing him.

The video footage shows riders stunned to silence.

"Weapons have no place on trains, and we are grateful for the rapid response of NYPD officers who kept passengers safe and arrested the perpetrator," MTA spokesperson Meghan Keegan said.

A third man ran towards the assault and tried to break it up. When two off-duty NYPD officers arrived at the scene, they arrested Jamaica, Queens resident, Benneth Ekwegbalu.

Ekwegbalu has been charged with assault, menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment.

The victim was transported to Jamaica Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.

FOX 5 NY's Arthur Chi'en talked to LIRR riders who rode the same line on Tuesday and reacted to what happened.

"It's pretty surprising you usually hear that about the subways. LIRR is usually pretty safe most times. But yeah, sometimes there’s some sketchy characters that come on board," a rider said.

"I feel like that’s something I would see if you take like the two or three. But, I feel like on the LIRR you don’t see that type of stuff at all," another rider added.