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Subway Shooter Charged With Attempted Murder


By

Jen Chung

Published Mar 8, 2010

Modified Mar 8, 2010


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By

Jen Chung

Published Mar 8, 2010

Modified Mar 8, 2010


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Early yesterday morning, a 21-year-old man was shot in the back at the 53rd Street and Seventh Avenue station in midtown. The suspect, who was caught by the police fleeing from the scene, has now faces numerous charges, including attempted murder.

According to the Daily News, victim Zahir Watts was on the D train when suspect Richard Mwazi tried to steal Watts' Jesus medallion and chain. Watts' stepfather said that Mwazi allegedly "showed him that he had a weapon and told him, 'Don't make this hard,'" and tried to yank the necklace off. Watts put up a fight and then their struggle moved to the subway platform, where it "got physical." Mwazi then allegedly shot Watts in the torso.

Mwazi, 24, also faces charges of robbery, resisting arrest and drug possession for what appeared to be ecstasy pills. Watts is in stable condition with the "bullet lodged in tissue near his spin," the News reports. And last November, an incident on the D train at the same station resulted in murder.

Tagged

53rd street

7th Avenue station

d train

midtown

Seventh Avenue

shooting

subway

subway train


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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