An early morning assault at the Van Cortlandt Park–242nd Street subway station ended in tragedy Wednesday when officers found a man unconscious on the platform and he later died at the hospital, authorities said. EMS rushed the victim to NewYork‑Presbyterian Allen Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police arrested a 68‑year‑old Queens man and charged him with manslaughter.
What Police Say Happened
Officers responded to a 911 call reporting an assault and found the man “unconscious and unresponsive around 3 a.m.,” according to News12 Bronx. He was taken to NewYork‑Presbyterian Allen Hospital, where he later died. The victim had not been identified as of Wednesday evening.
Detectives were still working the scene overnight, and authorities said details about what led up to the attack were not immediately available as they canvassed the station and surrounding area for witnesses and video.
A Busy Terminal With A Violent Year
The Van Cortlandt Park–242nd Street station sits at Broadway and West 242nd Street and serves as the northern terminal of the 1 train. It has been included in recent Metropolitan Transportation Authority accessibility plans and was named among stations slated for upgrades in an MTA capital announcement.
The block around the terminal has already seen serious violence this year. In January, a man was shot and killed near West 242nd Street and Broadway, according to amNY.
Arrest And Charges
Police took 68‑year‑old Keith Plummer of Queens into custody just before 5 p.m. Wednesday and charged him with manslaughter, authorities said. Officials have not yet released the charging documents or additional details about how the alleged assault unfolded.
The arrest and manslaughter charge were first reported by News12 Bronx.
What A Manslaughter Charge Means
In New York, manslaughter can be charged in the second degree, when a person is accused of recklessly causing another person’s death, or in the first degree, which involves a higher level of intent. The two are separate felony offenses.
Manslaughter in the second degree is a class C felony, according to the New York State Senate. Manslaughter in the first degree is a class B felony under New York State Senate law. Prosecutors will determine the specific degree of manslaughter and any additional charges as investigators present evidence. The accused remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Investigation Continues
Detectives from the NYPD’s 50th Precinct and the department’s homicide unit are leading the investigation and said more information will be released as it becomes available. Police are asking anyone with tips to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers or the local precinct.
The MTA did not immediately comment on whether the death affected train service at the 242nd Street terminal.
