Woman charged with stabbing Queens man in random attack and damaging her mother’s BMW, according to the district attorney.

Melissa Duran, a 39-year-old woman from Queens, faces serious legal repercussions following allegations of violent behavior that included a random stabbing and the vandalism of her mother’s vehicle. According to prosecutors in Queens, Duran’s actions paint a troubling picture of escalating aggression.

On September 23, shortly after 5:00 a.m., Duran reportedly violated a court order of protection by arriving at her mother’s residence and shattering the front driver-side and rear driver-side windows of her mother’s BMW. This incident of vandalism was the precursor to a more serious crime committed the following day.

On September 24, at approximately 11:47 a.m., Duran allegedly approached a 54-year-old man sitting on his porch on 53rd Avenue near 213th Street and stabbed him in the head. Witnesses indicate that before the assault, Duran shouted, “What are you looking at?” The man, who sustained a puncture wound requiring medical attention, was transported to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens for treatment, where he received three stitches to close the lacerations.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz expressed grave concern over the violent nature of Duran’s actions, stating that the victim’s life was irrevocably altered in an instant and emphasizing her commitment to maintaining safety in residential neighborhoods. Following the attack, Duran returned to her mother’s home later that evening and continued her rampage, this time reportedly embedding a kitchen knife into the rear bumper of her mother’s car.

Consequently, Duran was charged with attempted murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon for the stabbing incident, as well as criminal mischief and criminal contempt related to the vandalism of her mother’s vehicle. After pleading not guilty in Queens Criminal Court, a judge set her bail at 0,000 cash or million bond. Duran has a documented history of criminal behavior, with six prior arrests, including an assault charge from June 2025.

The context surrounding the incidents suggests a heightened state of emotional distress. According to the victim, prior to the stabbing, a flurry of traffic honking alerted him to a red Honda Civic, which was double-parked and obstructing the roadway. The suspect, characterized by police as a heavyset woman dressed in black, approached him with what he initially thought was a package. However, the situation turned sinister after a brief exchange of words led to Duran unsheathing a knife and attacking him.

In reflecting on the ordeal, the victim noted his relief at Duran’s arrest, stating that her continued freedom would pose a risk not only to him but potentially to others. He expressed a desire for her to receive the psychiatric help he believes she requires, emphasizing the importance of community safety. The implications of this case extend beyond individual safety, raising questions about mental health support and public safety enforcement in urban environments.