Suspect Apprehended for Manhattan Subway Assault in Alleged Hate Crime

Manhattan Subway Hate Crime Arrest

NYPD Apprehends Suspect in Anti-LGBTQIA+ Subway Incident

In a significant development, New York City law enforcement officials detained Milton Hamlin, 46, on charges related to an assault against a gay man in the Manhattan subway system. This incident, marked by anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiments, occurred last week and has since led to a swift police response.

Authorities reported that Hamlin, identified as a registered sex offender, was located and apprehended in his residential area in the Bronx by members of the NYPD Warrant Squad. Following his arrest, he was transported to the 7th Precinct on Tuesday morning where formal charges were levied against him.

The incident in question unfolded on the evening of March 1, around 11:03 p.m., on an uptown-bound A train approaching 34 Street-Penn Station. The victim, a 27-year-old male, was traveling with his partner when an altercation with Hamlin escalated. According to police sources, Hamlin engaged in a tirade filled with anti-LGBTQIA+ slurs before resorting to physical violence.

As the confrontation intensified, Hamlin reportedly unsheathed a box cutter and began attacking the victim, who sustained a severe cut on his left hand while attempting to defend himself. Following the assault, Hamlin escaped from the scene, while the injured man sought medical attention at Bellevue Hospital.

On March 5, Hamlin was seen being escorted in handcuffs out of the 7th Precinct by detectives. He refrained from commenting on the allegations against him as he was led to a waiting unmarked vehicle.

The charges filed against Hamlin include assault motivated by hate, general assault, menacing motivated by hate, and general menacing, marking a serious response by the authorities to hate-based violence.

According to the New York State Sex Offender Registry, Hamlin is convicted Level 3 sex offender. He was convicted in September 2011 on charges that he attempted to lure a 16-year-old boy into a building for sexual contact, and was released in July 2013.