Good Samaritans Intervene in Scary Subway Attack

A terrifying moment on a Brooklyn subway platform turned into a display of community action after bystanders intervened to protect a young woman from an alleged attacker.

The incident, which unfolded around 9 a.m. Sunday at the Norwood Avenue subway station, has gone viral on TikTok, garnering nearly 7 million views in just three days.

According to police, 42-year-old Fredrick Marshall grabbed a 20-year-old woman from behind in a bear hug and began forcefully pushing her forward, prompting her to scream, “Stop, stop, help!”

Caught on Camera: Crowd Rushes to Help as Woman Escapes

Video footage shows alarmed commuters quickly surrounding the pair and demanding Marshall release her. The woman eventually managed to break free, visibly shaken.

But as she tried to catch her breath, Marshall allegedly attempted a second lunge—only to be tripped by a passerby, sending him crashing headfirst onto the platform.

Moments later, several people began to restrain and strike him, including one who used a stick to fend him off. Others delivered a flurry of kicks to keep him down until police arrived.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was seen running from the scene—one sneaker left behind—clearly in distress.

Victim Suffers Minor Injuries, Suspect Faces Charges

Emergency services treated the victim at the station for shoulder pain and minor injuries to her stomach and arms.

Police confirmed that Marshall was in possession of a knife and a blackjack—a type of club-like weapon—at the time of the incident. He faces multiple charges, including:

• Criminal possession of a weapon (2 counts)
• Third-degree assault
• Second-degree harassment

Investigators said the woman and Marshall did not know each other prior to the incident.

TikTok Reacts: “Raise Men Like This”

The viral TikTok video has sparked widespread praise for the bystanders who jumped in to help.

“Boy moms, make sure you are raising men like this who protect our daughters from depraved,” one commenter wrote. Her emotional message, which referenced the woman’s final screams for her mother, has received nearly 19,000 likes.

Other users echoed the sentiment, commending the crowd for reacting with courage and humanity in the face of sudden violence.

NYC Riders Turn Fear Into Action

While the frightening encounter could have ended much worse, it became a powerful example of everyday New Yorkers stepping up in a moment of crisis.

With subway safety remaining a top concern for riders across the city, the video has reignited conversations about public vigilance, self-defense, and community response in urban transit settings.