Fact Check: Victims hospitalized after subway pepper spray attack, expected to be OK
What We Know
On June 20, 2025, a woman and her 11-month-old baby were pepper-sprayed on a subway train in Queens, New York. The incident occurred when the woman declined a stranger's request to use her phone while they were waiting for the train. The assailant, after boarding the same train, sprayed them as it approached the Court Square-23rd Street station. Both victims were taken to a hospital for evaluation and were reported to be "expected to be OK" following the attack (NBC New York).
Analysis
The claim that the victims were hospitalized but expected to be OK is supported by multiple sources. The initial report from NBC New York clearly states that both the woman and her baby were taken to a hospital for evaluation and that they were expected to recover (NBC New York). This aligns with the typical response protocol for such incidents, where victims of pepper spray are often monitored for any adverse effects, especially when children are involved.
Moreover, the credibility of NBC New York as a source is high, as it is a well-established news organization known for its coverage of local events. The report provides specific details about the incident, including the circumstances leading up to the attack and the immediate aftermath, which adds to its reliability.
While other reports, such as one from ABC7, also mention the incident and the mother's account of the attack, they corroborate the information provided by NBC New York without introducing conflicting details (ABC7). This consistency across multiple credible sources reinforces the accuracy of the claim.
Conclusion
The claim that victims were hospitalized after a subway pepper spray attack and are expected to be OK is True. The reports from reliable news sources confirm that both the woman and her baby were evaluated at a hospital and are anticipated to recover without serious complications.
