Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the sentencing of JAMAR BANKS, 53, to 10 years in state prison for stabbing a 35-year-old man on the subway at the 14th Street Station on January 1, 2025. On September 17, 2025, BANKS pleaded guilty to one count of Assault in the First Degree.

“Jamar Banks stands convicted of an extremely serious assault charge for stabbing a man with a dangerous weapon while onboard a subway car,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This vicious attack left the victim with significant injuries. New Yorkers deserve to feel safe riding our subways, and we will continue to hold accountable those who cause harm and put their safety at risk.”

As admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea, and according to court documents and statements made on the record in court, 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, looking 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 stabbed him once in the back, puncturing the victim’s lung with a 5-centimeter-deep laceration.

The victim managed to escape 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 received treatment for a ruptured lung and internal bleeding.

BANKS fled the subway. He was arrested on January 5, 2025 by warrants detectives at the 216th Street train station in the Bronx.

Assistant D.A. Jillian Shartrand (Trial Bureau 30) handled 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

Convicted:

• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 10 years in state prison

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