Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Lamale McRae was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on charges of attempted murder and other crimes for allegedly shoving onto the train tracks at the Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenue subway station a man waiting on a train and an eight-year-old bystander.

District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, this defendant suddenly tackled a subway rider onto the train tracks and pushed aside a young boy as he fled. This defendant is now charged with attempted murder and other charges for this shocking incident. Every New Yorker deserves to know they can safely travel to work, to school and around this City with safety. We will not give up this sense of security in Queens. We will not surrender our streets to fear.”

McRae, 41, of Moffat Street in Brooklyn was arraigned last night before Queens Criminal Court Judge Diego Friere on a complaint charging him with attempted murder in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree, assault in the third degree and endangering the welfare of a child. Judge Freire ordered the defendant to return to Court on November 14, 2022. If convicted, McRae faces 25 years in prison.

According to the charges, on Friday, October 21, at approximately 2:45 p.m., victim David Martin, 32, and the eight-year-old child of an eyewitness were standing on the northbound “L” train platform at the Myrtle-Wycoff Avenue subway station when defendant McRae allegedly slammed into Mr. Martin pushing him off the train platform onto the railway tracks. The defendant allegedly pushed the eight-year-old boy to the ground as he ran away. The victim was able to climb back to safety using the platform stairs.

Continuing, said DA Katz, the victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries including a broken collar bone, a sprained shoulder, multiple lacerations and abrasions and significant pain to his face, shoulder, arms and back. The child suffered knee abrasions.

The investigation was conducted by Detective John Giglia of the Queens Robbery Squad.

Assistant District Attorney Nicole Rella, of the District Attorney’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Shawn Clark, Bureau Chief, and Michael Whitney, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Division Daniel Saunders.