Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of AMIRA HUNTER, 23, for striking a subway cellist in the head with a metal water bottle in the Herald Square Subway Station in February 2024. HUNTER is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. [1] 

“Subway musicians bring joy to New York’s bustling subway system, and they deserve to perform in a safe environment. As alleged, Amira Hunter’s random and violent action left a subway musician in immense pain,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Anyone who threatens the safety of New Yorkers using our public transportation will be held accountable. I hope the victim continues to heal from this assault.” 

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on February 13, 2024, at approximately 5:47 p.m., a musician was performing the electric cello in the Herald Square Subway Station at West 34th Street. In the middle of the performance, HUNTER, who was watching the performance, allegedly approached the musician from behind, picked up his metal water bottle, and struck him once in the back of the head with it, causing swelling and substantial pain. 

After the assault, HUNTER immediately fled the station. 

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

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, specifically Detective Jesse Jansky of the Manhattan Robbery Squad. 

Defendant Information: 

AMIRA HUNTER 

Brooklyn, NY 

Charged:

• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D 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.