Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of MICHAEL MONAHAN, 33, for displaying a fully loaded firearm during a dispute with a 38-year-old subway rider while onboard a train on the Upper West Side. MONAHAN is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and one count each of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. [1] 

“As alleged, Michael Monahan possessed a fully loaded gun and displayed it to a subway rider while onboard a public train,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This alleged conduct also jeopardized the safety of the other train passengers and thankfully, nobody was hurt. Our transit system is no place for dangerous weapons and anyone who seeks to cause harm will be held accountable.”   

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on May 4, 2024, at approximately 7:30 a.m., MONAHAN began to argue with a subway rider while onboard an uptown 2 train, which was approaching the 96 Street station, near West 96thStreet and Broadway. During the argument, MONAHAN displayed a firearm in a threatening manner, which was fully loaded with five rounds of ammunition, to the subway rider who ran to hide between train cars. Other passengers onboard the train car fled to another train car.   

As the train entered the station, police officers patrolling the station saw passengers running into the next train car. As the train doors opened, the subway rider and passengers alerted the officers of the incident and helped point out MONAHAN, who was arrested at the scene. While arresting him, officers recovered a loaded .38 caliber revolver from MONAHAN’s waistband and a switchblade knife from the pocket of his pants. 

Assistant D.A. Tiffany Alves is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistant Peyton Sobel (Trial Bureau 60) is also providing valuable assistance in this case. 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Officer John Huang, Officer Hardeep Singh, and Lieutenant Daniel Priber, who are members of the Transit Bureau Anti-Terrorism Unit. 

Defendant Information:

MICHAEL MONAHAN
Queens, NY

Charged:

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a class E felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.