Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the guilty plea of ADITYA VEMULAPATI for pushing a woman in front of an oncoming train at Union Square Station on November 19, 2020. VEMULAPATI pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to Attempted Murder in the Second Degree. He will be sentenced to 8 years in state prison and 5 years’ post-release supervision.

On November 19, 2020, VEMULAPATI waited for a train to enter the Union Square station and then ran up behind a stranger and pushed her in front of the oncoming train.  The victim landed between the tracks, and several train cars passed over her. She was rescued from under the train by firefighters and was treated at the hospital after an MTA worker radioed for help. The entire incident was captured on video, and VEMULAPTI confessed to trying to kill the woman.

“New Yorkers deserve to feel safe traveling on the subway. Aditya Vemulapati attempted to kill a stranger for no apparent reason, pushing her onto the subway tracks. Today, he is being held accountable for his actions,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I am grateful to the MTA, NYPD Transit Bureau and FDNY for their swift response.”

Assistant D.A. Danielle Turcotte handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Robert Ferrari (Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Amy Hare (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 40), under the supervision of Joyce Smith (Chief of the Trial Division). TPA Emma Lester also assisted with the case.

District Attorney Bragg thanked the New York Police Department, particularly Police Officer Jenny Reyes of Transit District 4 and Detective Omar Vargas of the Manhattan Robbery Squad, for their assistance with the investigation.

Defendant:
ADITYA VEMULAPATI
New York, New York

Convicted:

• Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, one count.

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