Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of ESTEBAN ESONOASUE, a/k/a “Steven Hutcherson,” 38, to 26 1/3 – 29 years in state prison for attacking a woman with a fork and stabbing two teenage girls in unprovoked attacks in Grand Central Terminal on Christmas Day in 2023. On June 11, 2025, a New York Supreme Court jury found ESONOASUE guilty of one count each of Assault in the First Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree and Attempted Assault in the Second Degree. He was also found guilty of two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

“Esteban Esonoasue will serve a very significant prison term for attacking three victims, including two teenagers, at Grand Central Terminal,” said District Attorney Bragg. “My thoughts remain with the victims and their loved ones, who continue to navigate the psychological and emotional effects from this horrific attack. New Yorkers, commuters and tourists rely on the transit system daily and deserve to be safe when they travel, and we will hold those accountable who commit acts these of violence.”

As proven at trial, and according to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on December 25, 2023, ESONOASUE was sitting at a table in the Tartinery Café at Grand Central Terminal. At approximately 11:25 a.m., he picked up a fork from a dining table and scratched a woman’s neck with it.

ESONOASUE then took out a knife and approached a table across from him where two teenage girls were sitting with their family. He stabbed the 16-year-old in the back, deeply puncturing her and injuring her lung and diaphragm. He also stabbed the 14-year-old’s leg as she was trying to escape.

ESONOASUE dropped the knife and surrendered to police officers.

Assistant D.A.s Leila Kermani and Ashlyn Dean handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Shawn McMahon (Acting Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 40), Robert Ferrari (former Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Paralegals Emory DeRosa (TB 40), Senior Hate Crimes Investigative Analyst Julie Lim and Hate Crimes Analyst Eric Risch have all been provided valuable assistance in this case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the MTA Police, especially Lieutenant Mike Burns, Detective Chelsea Christonikos, Detective Anthony Figueroa and Officer Main Kong Koo.

Defendant Information:

ESTEBAN ESONOASUE, a/k/a “Steven Hutcherson”
Manhattan, NY

Convicted:

• 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, one count
• Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, a class E felony, one count
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, two counts

Sentenced:

• 26 1/3 – 29 years in state prison

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