NYC Subway Musician Attacker Indicted: DA

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A 23-year-old woman who struck a subway musician in the head with a metal water bottle in a Manhattan subway station in February, has been indicted.

Amira Hunter, of Brooklyn, was charged with second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon on Wednesday for striking the cello player with the bottle, prosecutors said.

“Subway musicians bring joy to New York’s bustling subway system, and they deserve to perform in a safe environment. As alleged, Amira Hunter’s random and violent action left a subway musician in immense pain,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.

At about 5:47 p.m. on Feb. 13, a musician – later identified as Iain Forrest – was performing using an electric cello in the 34th Street-Herald Square subway station when Hunter, who was watching the performance, approached Forrest and picked up his metal water bottle and struck the musician in the back of the head, prosecutors said.

Hunter fled the station after the attack.

The assault caused the victim swelling and substantial pain. The attack was captured on video, and circulated on X (Twitter).

“Anyone who threatens the safety of New Yorkers using our public transportation will be held accountable. I hope the victim continues to heal from this assault,” Bragg said.