MTA Employee Attacked at Brooklyn Subway Station Where Another Man Was Previously Killed

An MTA employee was assaulted by a subway passenger early Thursday at the Jay St.-MetroTech station in Downtown Brooklyn, just two days after a tragic incident in which a 64-year-old security guard was killed at the same location. The latest episode has raised concerns about safety in public transit as law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding both attacks.

According to police reports, the 59-year-old MTA worker, who was on duty in plain clothes, was approached around 12:15 a.m. while attempting to intervene in a confrontation between two men. As the employee sought to defuse the situation, one of the individuals struck him in the face before fleeing the scene. While the transit staffer sustained minor injuries, he declined medical assistance after the incident. Law enforcement officials are actively working to identify and apprehend the assailant.

This public altercation followed closely on the heels of a violent incident on Tuesday afternoon, where David Mazariegos, 25, was accused of fatally attacking security guard Nicola Tanzi at the same subway station. According to police, Tanzi was violently beaten after he kindly held open a subway gate for Mazariegos. The attack, characterized by a flurry of punches and severe kickings, ended with Tanzi being rendered unconscious. Emergency medical personnel transported him to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Brooklyn, but he succumbed to his injuries approximately 90 minutes later.

Subsequent to the assault on Tanzi, police apprehended Mazariegos a few hours later in Times Square, where they discovered a 20-inch katana sword on his lap along with several of the victim’s credit cards. He has since been charged with murder and is expected to face arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court.

The MTA has yet to provide a response regarding the recent violence within its stations. The juxtaposition of these two violent incidents highlights growing concerns about security measures within public transit systems, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety protocols to ensure the well-being of both employees and riders. As investigations continue, the community awaits further information on both the ongoing search for the subway assailant and the judicial proceedings against Mazariegos.