Two Bronx men surrendered in connection with the brutal Upper West Side beatdown of an elderly man who was stabbed while defending a pregnant woman on an MTA bus — but only after one of their relatives spotted them on a "Wanted" flyer and urged them to turn themselves in, authorities said.
Background
Robert Hunter, 73, was riding the M104 bus during evening rush hour June 5 when he witnessed one of the assailants "squeezing by" the pregnant woman and allegedly hitting her stomach, according to court documents. Hunter told The New York Post he felt compelled to intervene.
So all I said was, 'You know the lady's pregnant, show her some respect,' Hunter recalled. The confrontation quickly escalated, with both suspects turning their attention to the elderly man, authorities said.
According to a criminal complaint, the pair pummeled Hunter in the head and body before putting him in a chokehold that made it difficult for him to breathe. One of the attackers then allegedly snarled, "Now you're getting poked," before brandishing a knife and stabbing him in the left shoulder, police said.
Hunter was taken by EMS to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. He downplayed his injuries, saying the attack left him with just three stitches and no black eye. The retired city worker said he stands by his decision to intervene despite the violence he endured.
I try to look out 'cause if that was my daughter... [if] she was pregnant, and someone was pushing her around, and you know, there's no respect for women on the bus,' Hunter told ABC7NY.
The Investigation
Jaiden Marrero, 24, and Donzell Mitchell, 19, both of the Bronx, surrendered to police Thursday — nearly three weeks after the attack — following a conversation with a relative who recognized them on an NYPD "Wanted" flyer, law-enforcement sources said. The suspects were charged with felony assault and arraigned Friday in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Manhattan District Attorney's Office prosecutors requested $150,000 bail or $300,000 bond for both defendants. However, Judge Jeffrey Gershuny granted supervised release over the prosecution's objection, according to the DA's office. It remains unclear why the suspects were released without bail when the charge against them was bail-eligible.
The NYPD released surveillance photos of both suspects in connection with the investigation. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is handling the prosecution.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Hunter, 73, was allegedly beaten and stabbed on an M104 bus June 5 after intervening to protect a pregnant woman from harassment
- Jaiden Marrero, 24, and Donzell Mitchell, 19, surrendered Thursday after a family member recognized them on an NYPD "Wanted" flyer
- Both defendants were charged with felony assault — their first arrests — but released without bail by Judge Jeffrey Gershuny over prosecutors' objections
- Hunter was treated at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital and is in stable condition
What's Next
Marrero and Mitchell are scheduled to reappear in Manhattan Criminal Court on August 19 for further proceedings. The investigation remains ongoing, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
The NYPD continues to urge anyone with information about the incident to contact local authorities or submit tips anonymously.