A 24-year-old man has been charged with murder in the unprovoked subway shove that killed a person at a busy East Harlem station during Monday's evening rush, authorities said Tuesday.
Carlton McPherson, of the Bronx, was apprehended at the scene, 125th Street and Lexington Avenue along the 4/5/6 line, and charged overnight. Information on a possible attorney for him wasn't immediately available.
The victim, identified by police as 54-year-old Jason Volz, of the Bronx, was pronounced dead at the scene.
This incident occurred on the same day the NYPD announced a new operation aimed at enhancing security within the subway system. The department's "Operation Fare Play" will deploy hundreds of officers to subway stations to address fare evasion and related crimes, signaling an intensified focus on transit security.
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This incident unfolded blocks from where officials detailed their plans to bolster the safety of commuters through increased police presence and other measures.
Despite a recent decrease in subway crime rates, major crimes have dropped nearly 3% from 2022 to 2023. There's been a 15.5% decline in subway crime this month.