Fact Check: Suspect fled the scene after pepper-spraying woman and baby
What We Know
On June 20, 2025, a 25-year-old woman and her 11-month-old daughter were pepper-sprayed on a subway train in Queens, New York. The incident occurred as they were approaching the Court Square-23rd Street station. According to reports, the assailant, a man, had previously asked the woman to use her phone while they were waiting on the platform. After she declined, he allegedly attacked her and her child with pepper spray before fleeing the scene. Both victims were taken to a hospital for evaluation and were expected to recover (NBC New York, ABC7 NY).
Analysis
The claim that the suspect fled the scene after pepper-spraying the woman and her baby is supported by multiple credible sources. NBC New York reported that the man attacked the victims on the subway and subsequently escaped (NBC New York). Additionally, ABC7 NY provided similar details, confirming the sequence of events and the suspect's flight after the attack (ABC7 NY).
Both sources are reputable news outlets known for their coverage of local incidents, which adds to the reliability of the information. The consistency across these reports strengthens the credibility of the claim. Furthermore, the incident has prompted a police investigation, indicating that law enforcement is actively seeking the suspect, which corroborates the narrative of the suspect fleeing the scene (Hoodline).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the suspect fled the scene after pepper-spraying a woman and her baby is accurate. The details provided by multiple reliable news sources confirm that the attack occurred as described, and the assailant escaped following the incident. The ongoing police investigation further supports the validity of this claim.