A homeless man has been apprehended for allegedly slashing two complete strangers while they waited for a subway train in Queens, New York, after his arrest for causing extensive damage at a homeless shelter led police to connect him to the violent assaults.
The Shelter Outbreak That Led to Arrest
Tyquan Manassa, 28, was taken into custody on Friday after he allegedly caused more than $1,000 worth of damage at a homeless shelter where he had been staying. According to prosecutors, security footage captured Manassa "aggressively" toppling tables and throwing a fire extinguisher during an outburst at the facility.
The destructive rampage didn't stop there. Police reports indicate he also knocked over a water and ice dispensing machine in the shelter's hallway and flipped an occupied bed. These actions resulted in charges of criminal mischief and misdemeanor assault, which ultimately allowed authorities to identify him as the suspect in the earlier subway attacks.
Random Subway Violence in Queens
The subway assaults occurred on Wednesday, November 19, between approximately 3:10 pm and 3:25 pm at a station in Kew Gardens, Queens. According to police documentation, Manassa first approached a 42-year-old man from behind and cut his forehead with an unknown sharp object.
After walking away briefly, he reportedly slapped another bystander before targeting his final victim. Carlos Plasencia, 50, was slashed across his face during the unprovoked attack. "He was yelling, 'What's up? What's up?' He looked like he was high, and he was just attacking people for no reason," Plasencia told the New York Daily News.
The father of four described his primary concern during the assault was making it home to his family. Both victims were left shocked and attempting to stem their bleeding with tissues until emergency services arrived.
Legal Consequences and Previous Record
Manassa now faces four counts of assault related to the subway attacks, two of which are felony charges. During a Friday night arraignment hearing, Queens Criminal Court Judge Anthony Battisti ordered Manassa held on $200,000 bail.
Police records reveal that the 28-year-old has been arrested more than a dozen times since 2014, primarily for misdemeanor assaults and criminal mischief. If convicted on all current charges, he could face up to 25 years in prison.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz condemned the random violence, stating: "This random violence is every commuter's worst nightmare, and we will aggressively prosecute those who cause mayhem on our mass transit system."
Both assault victims required hospital treatment for their injuries, with the first victim receiving 16 stitches and Plasencia requiring seven. Manassa's next court appearance is scheduled for November 25.
