URGENT UPDATE: An MTA worker was violently attacked while intervening in a heated argument at a Brooklyn subway station just days after a brutal murder occurred nearby. Michael Grosso, a 59-year-old track worker, was on duty shortly after midnight on September 28, 2023, at the Jay Street subway station when he noticed a confrontation between a man and a passenger.
In a shocking turn of events, Grosso’s attempt to mediate the situation led to him being punched in the face by the suspect, a black male in his 40s dressed entirely in black, according to police reports. The assailant fled the scene immediately after the attack, disappearing into the night. Despite the assault, Grosso declined medical attention, showcasing his resilience amid chaos.
This incident unfolds in the wake of a horrific crime that took place just days earlier, where Nicola Tanzi, a beloved 64-year-old security guard, was brutally killed in a nearby corridor. Tanzi was viciously beaten after holding the subway security gate open for David Mazariegos, a 25-year-old man who was arrested hours later in Times Square while carrying a samurai sword. Mazariegos reportedly confessed to police that he attacked Tanzi because he disliked the way he looked at him.
The location of these violent incidents has raised alarms among commuters and community members, prompting calls for increased safety measures in the subway system. The Metropolitan Transit Authority has yet to respond to inquiries about enhanced security protocols following these alarming events.
As investigations continue, the community remains on edge, grappling with the shocking reality of violence in their transit system. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the latest assault or the previous murder to come forward.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as police work to locate the suspect and ensure the safety of transit workers and passengers alike.
