Man Arrested In Hammer Attack On Woman In LIC Subway, Police Say

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — A suspect has been arrested in the brutal robbery of a 57-year-old woman at a Long Island City subway station last week, according to police.

William Blount, 57, has been charged with attempted murder, robbery and assault in connection with Thursday's attack at the Queens Plaza subway station, police said Sunday.

Blount's listed address is the Radisson Hotel near Wall Street, which was recently converted into a temporary homeless shelter. The Daily News reported that Blount is indeed homeless.

The victim has been identified by the city as Nina Rothschild, a 57-year-old research scientist at the Department of Health, who was returning from work around 11:22 p.m. Thursday when she was attacked. Rothschild was in critical condition hours after the attack, and was recovering from surgery by Friday, according to ABC7.

Disturbing video released by police showed the suspect kicking Rothschild in the back, causing her to stumble down a staircase at the subway entrance while clutching a railing for support. At the bottom of the staircase, the suspect took out what appeared to be a hammer and bashed Rothschild on the head multiple times, featuring her skull, police said.

"Our thoughts are with Nina and her family following this horrific incident," city Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi told multiple outlets in a statement. “Nina has worked tirelessly in service to her fellow New Yorkers and she is truly a public health hero.”

Police had described the suspect as a man wearing a black hooded coat, a black mask, blue jeans and black shoes, carrying a cane.

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