Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of JAMAR BANKS, 52, for allegedly stabbing a man on the subway at the 14th Street Station on January 1, 2025. BANKS is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Assault in the First Degree, one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, and two counts of Assault in the Second Degree. BANKS was arraigned on February 5, 2025. [1] 

“Jamar Banks allegedly stabbed a man on the subway on New Year’s Day, before fleeing,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Violence in our subway system will not be tolerated, and we will continue to prosecute those who harm straphangers. I hope the victim heals from this assault.” 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, on January 1, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m., BANKS was sleeping on the seat of an uptown 2 train. As he slept, a man took BANKS’ suitcase, brought it to the adjacent subway car, took out BANKS’ blanket, and went to sleep on a subway seat. BANKS woke up as the train stopped at the 14th Street and 7th Avenue Station and started to look for his suitcase. 

BANKS entered the adjacent subway car to find his suitcase and approached the man who was sleeping with his blanket. BANKS ripped the blanket off and yelled at the man while holding a knife. As the victim started to walk away, BANKS allegedly stabbed him once in the back, puncturing the victim’s lung with a 5-centimeter-deep laceration. 

The victim managed to make it to the adjacent subway car where he pushed the emergency button and collapsed to the ground, bleeding profusely from his back, as bystanders called 911. The victim was transported to Bellevue hospital where he is receiving treatment for a ruptured lung and internal bleeding. 

BANKS fled the subway. He was apprehended on January 5, by warrants detectives at the 219th Street train station in the Bronx, where he had the knife used in the stabbings. 

Assistant D.A. Jillian Shartrand (Trial Bureau 30) is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Erin Tierney (Chief of Trial Bureau 30) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Frank Danoy of the NYPD Detective Bureau. 

Defendant Information: 

JAMAR BANKS 

Brooklyn, NY 

Charged:

• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts 

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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.