A routine weekday ride on the E train turned violent in Forest Hills when a 62-year-old woman was struck in the head with a metal water canister, prompting a citywide search for the attacker.
Police say the assault happened Monday at about 3:10 p.m. on a northbound E train as it approached the Forest Hills-71st Avenue stop. The woman, who was seated on the train, suffered a laceration after being hit with the canister. Before officers could respond, the assailant slipped away and left the area.
Investigators have released images of a person of interest and are asking riders and residents to help identify the individual.
WANTED FOR AN ASSAULT: On Monday, June 15, 2026, at approximately 3:10 P.M., the victim, a 62-year-old female, was sitting on a northbound "E" train approaching the 71 Avenue - Forest Hill station, in the confines of the NYPD 112 Precinct/Transit District 20, when she was struck with a metal water canister causing a laceration. The suspect fled to parts unknown.
— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) June 22, 2026
NYPD Posts Wanted Notice And Offers Reward
According to NYPD Crime Stoppers, the department issued a wanted notice on June 22, stating that the attack took place on Monday, June 15 at approximately 3:10 p.m. inside the 112th Precinct and Transit District 20. The post notes that the 62-year-old victim was struck with a metal water canister, suffered a laceration and that the suspect fled to parts unknown. A reward of up to $3,500 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
Where It Happened
The Forest Hills-71st Avenue station sits along Queens Boulevard and serves as a busy transfer point for Queens commuters, with both express and local trains stopping there. The station complex, located at Queens Boulevard and 71st Avenue, is part of the Queens Boulevard line, according to Wikipedia.
Past Cases And Local Pattern
Transit riders in central Queens have seen incidents like this before. In 2022, police sought a man accused of punching a 68-year-old woman inside the Forest Hills-71st Avenue station, a case reported by QNS. Neighborhood coverage has repeatedly flagged safety concerns on and around this key transfer hub.
Transit Safety And City Response
City officials and the NYPD frequently point to broader declines in several major crime categories, even as numbers in the transit system fluctuate from month to month. They say patrols and resources are regularly adjusted to respond to crimes on trains and platforms. A City of New York press release on recent crime statistics highlights those overall trends and notes the department's continued focus on deployment for transit safety.
How To Help
Anyone with information is asked to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org. Police say callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for the advertised reward, and they are urging riders to review any personal video that might show the incident or the suspect.
