A man got on the J train Thursday afternoon pacing and agitated. By the time it reached the platform at Woodhaven Boulevard, another rider was dead -- and it was ordinary commuters, not police, who ran the attacker down.
Jyrell Thomas, 25, is now charged with murder.
What happened
Police say Thomas got into a confrontation with 59-year-old Mesias Lojano aboard a Queens-bound J train just after 4 p.m. on October 1, according to ABC7 New York. When Lojano tried to walk away, Thomas allegedly swung at him with a kitchen knife. The attack continued onto the platform at the Woodhaven Boulevard station, where Lojano was stabbed multiple times in the chest and neck.
Riders gave chase
Thomas dropped the knife and ran, but at least four bystanders pointed him out to officers nearby, according to Gothamist. He was chased onto the roof of a nearby garage before police caught up with him and took him into custody. One witness, Bismarck Villareyna, recorded part of the pursuit and helped direct officers to Thomas's location.
The charges
Thomas was taken to Jamaica Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation and is described by police as emotionally disturbed, CBS News New York reported. He has one prior arrest, for petit larceny, obstruction and criminal possession of stolen property connected to an incident at a Bronx Target. He was charged Thursday morning with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
The bigger picture
Lojano's death is the sixth homicide in the New York City subway system this year, according to local reporting. Lojano has not been further identified beyond his name and age in official statements.
What's next
Thomas is expected to be arraigned on the murder charge. IF Daily will follow the case as it moves through the courts.
