Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bronx man accused of beating 60-year-old woman with cane at Manhattan subway station
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Sep 5, 2023
Modified Sep 6, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Sep 5, 2023
Modified Sep 6, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Bronx man is in custody after being accused of repeatedly hitting a 60-year-old woman with a cane on a subway platform in an assault that was captured on video circulated on social media, the NYPD said.
The incident took place on the southbound 2 and 3 train platform on West 116th Street and Lenox Avenue at around 3:20 a.m. on Friday, police said. The victim was standing on the platform when the man, identified by police on Tuesday as 43-year-old Norton Blake, began beating her body with a cane, causing swelling and pain, according to police. Blake was arrested Wednesday morning, police said, and charged with assault.
Video taken by someone on a train stopped at the station and posted on social media shows the man striking the woman, who is on the ground, dozens of times — first with a cane, and later with his fists and a belt. A bag of trash and litter is strewn around the area of the platform they’re on, and the suspect is seen on video throwing some objects at the woman and kicking her.
The woman was transported to Harlem Hospital in stable condition.
Attorney information for Blake was no immediately available.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with information on the suspect's arrest.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
manhattan
Catalina Gonella
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Brooklyn's Hakeem Jeffries is poised to lead a Democratic House. Will his party follow?
The likely House Speaker has trouble uniting Dems in NYC. Can he do it nationally?
By
Brigid Bergin
Published Nov 4, 2026 at 8:21 a.m. ET
Trump urged voters to pretend he’s on the ballot. In NY and NJ they listened.
Democrats relentlessly linked their GOP opponents to the Republican president.
By
Jon Campbell
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Walter Wuthmann
News
Trump urged voters to pretend he’s on the ballot. In NY and NJ they listened.
Democrats relentlessly linked their GOP opponents to the Republican president.
By
Jon Campbell
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Walter Wuthmann
Even in defeat, a reclusive NJ Republican remained secluded to the last vote
By
David Brand
Republican Jeff Van Drew concedes NJ congressional seat in surprise victory for Democrats
By
Mike Hayes
and
Karen Yi
NYC voters appear poised to approve outdoor dining, bike lane ballot measures
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .