Stranger cracks cellist over the head with metal water bottle during rush-hour attack in NYC subway station in shocking video
Shocking video shows the moment a woman randomly whacked a musician with a metal water bottle in a rush-hour attack at a Midtown transit hub — the last straw that prompted the cellist to suspend his subway performances “indefinitely.”
Iain. S. Forrest, 29, was sitting on a stool passionately playing the instrument in the 34th Street-Herald Square station around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday when the assailant approached him out of nowhere, according to cops and a video the victim posted on X.
She suddenly picks up Forrest’s own water bottle off the ground, clobbers him with it and then callously storms off without saying a word, according to the clip shared Wednesday.
The busker was left holding the back of his head in pain, while still clutching his instrument with his other hand, the footage shows.
“Yesterday, I was attacked in the NYC subway,” Forrest posted, alongside the video. “At 5:50 pm on February 13th, while performing at 34th St Herald Square station, a woman wearing a mustard jacket, red scarf, and gloves assaulted me by smashing the back of my head with my metal water bottle.”
“She fled the station, shedding her outer clothes, and escaped into the nearby Macy’s, where NYPD were unable to locate her,” he continued. “We urgently need your help. Please share this post and video to help identify her before she harms me or others again.”
Forrest said the attack was the second he’s endured in less than a year of performing in Big Apple subway stations.
“I don’t think I can do this anymore. I’m suspending subway performances indefinitely,” he wrote.
The video of the senseless attack has since gone viral — racking up 11 million views and 11,000 shares on X by Friday morning.
Many commenters supported Forrest’s decision to quit performing on the rails.
“Your concern to protect your peace and to protect your safety is warranted and very understandable,” one person wrote. “Do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Hugs.”
“I am so sorry and so sad,” another commenter said. “We have to do what’s right so that you, if you chose to come back, and everyone else who makes our city wonderful, feels safe and protected. Please know how valued you are and what a difference you make.”
The suspect in the attack had not been caught by Friday.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website or on X @NYPDTips.
