Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Subway Shoving Suspect Calls Incident "Bad Timing," Says He Was Upset Over Lost Timberland Boots
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 16, 2013
Modified Jan 16, 2013
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 .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 16, 2013
Modified Jan 16, 2013
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
Naeem Davis, the homeless man who was arrested last month for allegedly shoving a Queens man to his death on the subway tracks in Manhattan, admitted to police he shoved the victim into the oncoming train. According to newly-released court papers, Davis, 30, told cops that he realized victim KI-Suck Han was drunk when he saw him at the 49th Street N/R/Q platform: “Yes, for the sake of argument, I could have walked away...But it was just bad timing. He came at the wrong time.” And Davis also revealed one of the reasons his "head wasn't where it was supposed to be that day:" he was still angry because an acquaintance threw away his Timberland boots two days before the fatal shoving.
Davis has pleaded not guilty to charges of 2nd degree murder and manslaughter. According to those court documents, Davis said he had been sent downtown to restock merchandise for the Times Square clothing street vendors he worked for when he saw Han, who was reportedly drunk after fighting with his wife that morning, jump the turnstile. Then Davis says Han threatened him, saying "I'll kill you!"
After he was arrested, a day after the shoving, Davis told cops: "I'm really sorry this happened, really sorry. Do you think I can get a manslaughter charge?" The defense is arguing that Han started the fight and was "clearly pursuing" Davis, but prosecutor James Lin argued Davis's statements show Davis knew better and did not feel threatened.
“There was no other way to prevent injury to himself except by pushing [Han] onto the train tracks with an oncoming train?” asked Judge Bonnie Wittner. “He could have been drunk, but I still don’t think it was in defense to throw somebody onto the subway tracks. I could be wrong.”
Tagged
death
ki-suck han
manhattan
MTA
naeem davis
subway
subway shoving
timberland boots
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
News
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says
By
Jon Campbell
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
By
David Brand
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
By
Samantha Max
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 .