Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Luis Pallchisaca was arraigned on charges of attempted murder, assault and weapon possession for the unprovoked stabbing of a 25-year-old man inside a 7 train at the Mets-Willets Point station in Corona Sunday night. Pallchisaca, who was already inside the train, allegedly approached the victim as he entered the subway car, slashed his throat and stabbed his back without saying a word. The victim remains in critical condition.

District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, the defendant mercilessly stabbed the victim in an unprovoked attack and caused life-threatening injuries. Our subway system is not a battle ground; it is a lifeline for many. My office will use all tools at our disposal to prosecute those who undermine the sense of safety for millions of straphangers in this city. The defendant now faces attempted murder and other charges, and we continue to wish the victim a full recovery.”

Pallchisaca, 21, of 112^th Street in Richmond Hill, was arraigned today on a criminal complaint charging him with attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Criminal Court Judge Lana Schlesinger ordered him to return to court on September 29. If convicted, Pallchisaca faces up to 25 years in prison.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on September 21, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Pallchisaca was inside a 7 train at the Mets-Willets Point station when a 25-year-old man entered the subway car.

Pallchisaca approached the victim from the front, slashed his throat and then stabbed him in the back multiple times with what appeared to be a knife. He then fled the scene.

The victim was taken to a local hospital where he required multiple stitches for the puncture wounds. A tube was placed in the victim’s throat because of the injuries to his larynx. The victim is still unable to swallow and remains in critical condition.

Pallchisaca was arrested by members of the NYPD at his home on September 24.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Jerry George of the NYPD’s Queens Transit Crime Squad.

Assistant District Attorney Samuel Pellegrino of the District Attorney’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Whitney, Bureau Chief, Roni Piplani and Timothy Regan, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.