A man with a history of mental illness and a significant criminal record has been accused of a shocking act of violence in East Harlem, where he allegedly pushed a commuter to his death in front of an oncoming train. Carlton McPherson, 24, from the Bronx, found himself at the center of a murder investigation following the incident at the East 125th Street and Lexington Avenue station. At the time of this horrifying act, McPherson was wanted for an assault in Brooklyn, highlighting a pattern of troubling behavior.
On Monday, around 7 p.m., McPherson reportedly shoved a 54-year-old man onto the tracks just as a northbound 4 train was entering the station. The train could not stop in time, resulting in the tragic death of the man, whose identity has been withheld pending notification of his family. Following this incident, authorities arrested McPherson and charged him with murder.
Prior to this fatal encounter, McPherson’s interactions with the law include a variety of offenses. In January, he was arrested for allegedly spitting on a woman on the L train, a case that was later sealed, possibly indicating the charges were dropped. His criminal history also features an arrest for fare evasion at a Brooklyn subway station on November 15, an act that has recently become a target of NYPD’s crackdown efforts.
McPherson’s aggressive behavior was also on display last Halloween when he reportedly attacked a man with a cane in Brooklyn, striking him first on the leg and then on the face, in an attempt to quell McPherson’s erratic behavior. Charged with assault, he was initially released without bail but later found himself in violation of his release terms, leading to a bench warrant and a subsequent bail set at his January court appearance.
The court has scheduled McPherson’s next appearance for July 26, related to the cane assault case. Meanwhile, his history of mental health issues is evident in police records, which detail at least two incidents where he was described as an “emotionally disturbed person.” These include a bizarre episode at Yankee Stadium and a confrontation with his grandmother that led to a police intervention.
McPherson’s criminal record is not limited to these incidents; it encompasses shoplifting, burglary, and even a situation where he allegedly brandished an imitation gun. His actions have consistently put him on the radar of law enforcement, culminating in the recent murder charge that has once again brought his troubled past into the spotlight.
As the legal process unfolds, the community is left to grapple with the consequences of McPherson’s actions and the broader issues of mental health and criminal behavior that his case exemplifies.