Overview

• The assault occurred around 10:30 p.m. Sunday on a southbound No. 4 train as commuters were exiting at Union Square.
• Four passengers were hospitalized for respiratory and eye irritation and four others were treated on-site, all expected to recover.
• The suspect fled the station immediately after deploying the capsaicin-based spray and remains at large.
• MTA security camera footage is being reviewed to identify the assailant and map his escape through the station.
• Following a similar June attack at a Washington Square Park Pride event, authorities have expanded chemical threat and crowd control protocols across the city.