Kamel Hawkins Denies Subway Push Attempted Murder Charge

Kamel Hawkins, 23, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder, assault, and attempted assault after allegedly shoving a 45-year-old man onto subway tracks in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood on New Year's Eve. The victim, who was struck by an incoming train, suffered serious injuries including a fractured skull and broken ribs but survived. Hawkins was quickly apprehended and is being held without bail pending his next court appearance on April 16. This incident is part of a troubling trend in subway crimes, with other recent cases including a separate December attack in Brooklyn where 19-year-old Andrew Pashinin was charged with attempted murder for pushing a man onto the tracks during an argument. Despite a drop in overall subway crime last year, certain violent crimes have seen an increase. New York officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, have announced plans to increase police presence on the subway system to improve safety.