83-year-old man shoved down NYC subway stairs

NEW YORK - An 83-year-old man is recovering after police say he was shoved down the stairs of a subway station in an unprovoked attack.

The victim was exiting the 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue station when he was pushed at around 11:10 p.m. Friday night. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital with a head laceration and is in stable condition.

Police have arrested a suspect. Kingsley Adjo, 54, was charged with assault and reckless endangerment.

Earlier this year, a rise in subway crime prompted Gov. Kathy Hochul to deploy the National Guard troops to the subway system , and Mayor Eric Adams to reinstitute bag checks in the system .

Just this week, the NYPD released their latest monthly crime statistics. According to the NYPD, major crime in the subway system was down 6.9% year to date, and by 15.3% compared to June of 2023. The police department said crime levels in transit have hit a 14-year low, "discounting pandemic-era irregularities."

"As we look back on the first half of this year, we can see the steady progress in the NYPD's relentless fight against violence and disorder – an unwavering commitment that will continue through the summer months," NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said.