$200K Bail For Man Accused Of Stabbing NJ Commuter At NYC Bus Terminal

BOONTON, NJ — The man accused of attacking a Morris County carpenter at a Manhattan bus terminal is being held on a $200,000 cash bail, court records show.

The victim, a 66-year-old Boonton man, said he was reading a book at the Port Authority bus terminal when the attacker came up randomly and started stabbing him. The attack took place around 5:45 a.m. Monday, and officers quickly arrested 42-year-old Michael McCloskey after witnessing the stabbing, per the Port Authority.

Authorities said the California resident faces two charges of first-degree assault, one charge each of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault, and one fourth-degree weapons charge.

Court records show that Judge Michael J. Gaffey set McCloskey's bail at $200,000 cash, or a $500,000 surety bond, after he pleaded not guilty to the charges. His next scheduled court appearance is on Friday morning.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Port Authority said that the agency increased both officers and civilian staff at the bus terminal in Midtown. The spokesperson added that "incidents like the one that occurred Monday at the Midtown Bus Terminal are rare."

"Safeguarding the public and our employees is the absolute highest priority for our agency," the statement said. "We will also continue to work closely with our local and state law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of the traveling public.”

The victim, who spent his birthday Tuesday in the hospital, said he commutes daily to New York City and that he didn't exchange any words with the perpetrator beforehand.

Original article — NJ Commuter Recovering After Stabbing Attack At NYC Bus Terminal