Accused Subway-Pusher Hit With Attempted Murder Charge: Queens DA

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — A Queens man who allegedly shoved an Asian straphanger in front of a moving train now faces an attempted murder charge after months "on the run," officials announced Tuesday.

Ronald Lacey, 23, stands accused of pushing his victim onto the subway tracks at the 21st Street Queensbridge station during morning rush hour on May 24, 2021, the Queens District Attorney's office announced Tuesday.

Lacey then fled from the station and remained on the lam for months until his arrest on Jan. 7, according to prosecutors.

The day of the attack, subway riders jumped into action to help the man on the tracks — who was attacked during a citywide spike in anti-Asian violence — waving their hands to get the train conductor's attention and reaching down to pull him back onto the platform, the District Attorney's office said.

"This could have ended with tragic results if not for the quick action of good Samaritans," said District Attorney Melinda Katz.

The pushed man suffered a fractured wrist and a cut that required 14 stitches, prosecutors said.

Lacey Tuesday was hit with charges of attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and harassment, prosecutors said.

He is expected to return to court on Jan. 12 and could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.

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