6 Wounded in Stabbing at Penn Station in Manhattan

Six people were wounded in a mass stabbing attack at New York’s Penn Station on Sunday evening, authorities said, as the suspect — identified as Hector Deleon, 51, who is believed to be homeless — was taken into custody by Amtrak police at the scene. The attack unfolded in the evening in the New Jersey Transit boarding area near Tracks 5 and 6, one of the busiest transit hubs in the United States.

The Attack

According to the Associated Press, paramedics found one victim with serious injuries, two with moderate injuries, and two with minor injuries. All five were transported to Bellevue Hospital. A sixth person, whose condition was not immediately known, was taken to a separate hospital. All victims were men ranging in age from 30 to 60, believed to be innocent bystanders caught in an unprovoked attack.

The suspect, Hector Deleon, was previously arrested in New Jersey in May 2026 on assault and narcotics charges, according to sources cited by the New York Post. Details of that arrest were not immediately available.

Official Response

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement on X, calling the attack “horrific” and praising the swift response of law enforcement. “Based on the information available right now, six people were stabbed and the alleged perpetrator is in custody following a swift response from the Amtrak Police Department,” Mamdani wrote, as reported by The Guardian. “My heart is with everyone who was injured, their loved ones, and all those shaken by this unacceptable violence.”

Amtrak police responded to reports of “multiple individuals slashed” and took the suspect into custody within minutes. The FDNY treated victims at the scene before transporting them to area hospitals.

Context: NBA Finals and Presidential Visit

The attack occurred less than 24 hours before President Donald Trump was scheduled to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, which sits directly above Penn Station. The game — the first NBA Finals contest at MSG since 1999 — was expected to draw massive crowds and extensive security involving the Secret Service, NYPD, and other agencies.

Authorities did not immediately indicate whether the stabbing would affect security plans for the game, according to NY1.

Recent Transit Violence

Sunday’s attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents at New York City’s public transportation facilities in recent weeks. In May, a 76-year-old man died after being pushed downstairs at Manhattan’s 18th Street subway station. In April, three people were injured at Grand Central Terminal in a machete attack by a man who claimed he was “Lucifer” and was shot dead by police. Earlier in June, video posted to social media showed an apparent antisemitic attack on a New York subway train, leading to a hate crime arrest.

Commuter Reactions

The attack has shaken commuters who rely on the transit hub daily. Sanai Rashid, 21, told the New York Post: “Penn Station is not known for being the most safe area, especially in the evening, especially with just how busy it’s been recently with the Knicks game, the Trump coming.” Marina Berger, 21, an advertising intern from New Jersey, said: “I definitely think there should be better security measures put in place.”

Broader Implications

The incident raises renewed questions about public safety in New York’s transit system, particularly at Penn Station, which serves Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit, and multiple subway lines, with hundreds of thousands of passengers passing through daily. The suspect’s homeless status and prior arrest record also highlight ongoing debates about homelessness, mental health support, and public safety in the city.

What’s Next

Authorities have not released details about a possible motive for the attack. Charges against Hector Deleon have not yet been announced. The investigation is being led by the Amtrak Police Department, with assistance from the NYPD. As New York prepares for a historic NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden, questions remain about whether the incident will prompt enhanced security measures at the city’s transit hubs.