Fact Check: Woman and baby pepper-sprayed on Queens subway over phone refusal!
What We Know
On June 20, 2025, a 25-year-old mother and her 11-month-old daughter were allegedly pepper-sprayed on a subway train in Queens after the mother declined a request from a man to borrow her cell phone. The incident occurred on the M train as it approached the Court Square-23rd Street station. Eyewitness accounts and reports from local news outlets confirm that the attacker sprayed the victims with what the mother believed to be pepper spray, causing them to experience burning sensations and difficulty breathing (Eyewitness News, NBC New York). Both victims were taken to a local hospital for evaluation and were reported to be in stable condition (Hoodline).
The attacker reportedly approached the mother while they were waiting on the platform, asking to use her phone. After she refused, he followed her onto the train and attacked her and her child as the train was moving towards the next station (NY Daily News). The police are actively searching for the suspect, and no arrests have been made as of the latest reports (Hoodline).
Analysis
The reports from multiple reputable news sources corroborate the details of the incident, indicating a high level of reliability. Eyewitness News and NBC New York provided consistent accounts of the events, including the mother's description of the attack and the subsequent medical treatment for her and her child (Eyewitness News, NBC New York). The emotional impact on the mother, who expressed feelings of vulnerability and fear following the attack, adds a personal dimension to the incident that is supported by her statements in interviews.
The sources used in this fact-check are credible local news outlets known for their coverage of community events and crime. The consistency across reports strengthens the validity of the claim. However, it is important to note that while the mother believes the substance used was pepper spray, definitive confirmation from law enforcement regarding the exact nature of the spray has not been reported yet. Regardless, the circumstances surrounding the attack are clear and alarming, highlighting issues of safety in public transportation.
Conclusion
The claim that a woman and her baby were pepper-sprayed on a Queens subway after the mother refused to lend her phone is True. Multiple reliable sources confirm the details of the incident, including the attacker's actions and the victims' experiences. The ongoing police investigation further supports the seriousness of the situation.
Sources
- Exclusive: Mother, baby allegedly pepper sprayed on subway after man ...
- Search for suspect who pepper sprayed mom and baby on subway in Queens ...
- Woman, baby pepper-sprayed on Queens subway - NBC New York
- Woman and Infant Daughter Victims of Unprovoked Pepper Spray Assault
- Mom and baby sprayed in face on Queens subway by man angry over rebuff
