LIRR passenger trying to board train slashed in face with box cutter by Queens man, police say

Two off-duty NYPD officers arrested a Queens man Monday and charged him with slashing a passenger across the face on a Far Rockaway-bound LIRR train.

NYPD officials said a 27-year-old man attempted to board an LIRR train at 3:22 p.m. from Grand Central to Far Rockaway. The passenger was boarding the train at the Locust Manor station in Queens, when police said a 32-year-old man blocked him from entering.

The two men began arguing, which escalated, and police said Benneth Ekwegbalu, 32, of Queens attacked the victim.

Ekwegbalu is accused of pulling a box cutter and slashing the victim across the face. Ekwegbalu pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court Tuesday afternoon. A judge released him without bail on non-monetary conditions.

Video of the attack onboard the train, posted on social media, shows the assailant charged by police leaning over the victim in the seat while other passengers onboard scattered to the back of the train. One passenger tried to pull him back before police arrived, the video showed.

Two off-duty NYPD officers responded and arrested Ekwegbalu on charges of assault, menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment.

The victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries. Metropolitan Transit Authority officials said the train was held for nearly an hour while police and paramedics responded. No other delays were reported.

LIRR officials reiterated that weapons are not permitted on trains.

“Weapons have no place on trains, and we are grateful for the rapid response of NYPD officers who kept passengers safe and arrested the perpetrator,” MTA spokeswoman Meghan Keegan said.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.