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Homeless Man Goes On Violent Rampage In Subway Station Under Bloomingdale's
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 15, 2014
Modified Sep 15, 2014
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By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 15, 2014
Modified Sep 15, 2014
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A 22-year-old woman had just arrived at the 6 train subway platform at Lexington and 59th Street yesterday afternoon when she was attacked by a homeless man who declared that he would kill her. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Lionel Pope, allegedly wrapped his hands around her neck and pushed her to the ground, nearly choking her to death.
One police source tells the Daily News that Pope screamed at his victim, "I’m going to kill you!" After punching the woman in the back, Pope allegedly assaulted several other people on the platform before police arrived and chased him down. An officer reportedly used pepper spray to neutralize Pope and get him in handcuffs.
The incident happened at approximately 2 p.m. One victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment. Pope is also familiar with Bellevue; according to the NYPD he's been staying at the Bellevue Men's Shelter on East 30th Street. He was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, resisting arrest, and assault.
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6 train
crime
subway
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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