MTA Worker Assaulted By Fare Evaders — One Arrested, One Still At Large: NYPD

BROOKLYN, NY — A woman connected to a brutal attack on an MTA employee has been arrested, police announced Tuesday.

Ayizhae Thomas, 24, was charged with assault, acting in a manner injurious to a child, criminal possession of a weapon, and menacing in connection with the July 1 attack on Marshalee Reid, an MTA employee working at the New Lots Avenue No. 3 train station in East New York.

At the time of the incident, Reid was on restricted duty as she continued to recover from brain surgery she had undergone the year before, according to the Transport Workers Union.

Police said Reid was helping an elderly man exit through the emergency gate around 1:15 p.m. when she confronted two alleged fare evaders.

According to the Transport Workers Union, Reid first noticed one of the women jump the turnstile without paying and asked her to re-enter through the open door and pay the fare. As she did so, a second woman tried to slip through the emergency gate, prompting Reid to tell her she also needed to pay.

Moments later, the two women allegedly turned on Reid, punching her multiple times in the face and body before one of them pulled out a set of keys and began slashing her, according to the NYPD.

It remains unclear what role Thomas allegedly played in the violent assault.

“It’s no surprise the NYPD locked up one of the perpetrators of the senseless attack on a station agent—and given that cameras, as usual, took pictures of both attackers, they’ll get the other—and now it’s up to courts to deliver maximum justice," NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said. "We will be watching closely.”

Emergency responders brought Reid to Brookdale Hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries and listed in stable condition. According to the Transport Workers Union, she also had a swollen hand that required X-rays.

After the attack, both Thomas and the second suspect ran off. Police say they are still searching for the second individual involved.

Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity or whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

This article has been updated to include a statement from the MTA.