Mugger who stabbed and severely injured woman in empty subway car held without bail.

A recent subway incident in Manhattan has resulted in the arrest of an 18-year-old man who stands accused of attacking a woman during a botched robbery. Brandon Balfour is currently being held without bail following his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on August 11, 2025. The charges against him include attempted murder, assault, and robbery, stemming from a violent encounter that occurred on August 6 on a No. 3 train.

According to law enforcement officials, Balfour entered the train car as it approached the Wall Street station. The victim, a 29-year-old woman, reportedly attempted to distance herself from Balfour after he demanded her bag. In a threatening manner, he brandished a kitchen knife, leading to a physical altercation when the woman tried to resist his demands. The altercation escalated, resulting in Balfour allegedly slashing the woman multiple times, inflicting serious injuries to her arm and back.

Emergency medical services promptly attended to the victim after she was discovered with significant wounds that pierced her diaphragm, causing severe internal damage. As a result, she required extensive surgical intervention at Bellevue Hospital to address her critical injuries, which included lacerations to her left arm, left elbow, and both hands.

Witnesses confirmed that the train car was empty aside from the victim and the assailant, heightening the sense of vulnerability experienced by the victim during the attack. Following the incident, Balfour fled the scene with the victim’s cell phone, which police later recovered.

Balfour’s apprehension occurred two days post-incident at a shelter in Queens, where officers identified him using surveillance footage captured at the station. During the arrest, police recovered a yellow mask he reportedly wore during the robbery and the stolen cell phone, which bore traces of the victim’s blood.

The case has drawn significant media attention, as it underscores ongoing concerns about safety within the city’s subway system. The court proceedings will continue as authorities seek to hold Balfour accountable for the brutal attack.

This incident places a spotlight on the challenges faced by passengers in public transportation and the need for greater security measures to ensure the safety of those who rely on subway systems. The legal journey of Brandon Balfour now begins as the community awaits further developments in what is already a troubling crime story.