Woman allegedly choked subway rider, yelled antisemitic remarks in attack caught on video: police
Police: Woman Charged With Hate‑Crime Assault After Subway Attack
A 23‑year‑old Bronx resident was arrested Monday and charged with multiple hate‑crime offenses after an alleged assault on a fellow passenger aboard a New York City subway train over the weekend, the New York Police Department reported.
The incident, which was captured on video by the victim, began when the suspect, later identified as Diana Smith, shouted anti‑Jewish epithets at other riders. In the footage she can be heard yelling, “Jews are eating kids!” and, “You’re a Jew. I can smell the kids,” according to a police summary of the video.
After the verbal outburst, Smith is alleged to have punched, kicked and choked the 23‑year‑old victim, then threw her to the ground and ripped out a section of her hair. Other passengers intervened, prompting the suspect to remark, “It’s OK for her to eat a kid, but I can’t choke her down?” as the confrontation continued.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. She was treated for minor injuries and released in stable condition, officials said.
Smith was apprehended shortly after the attack and now faces three counts: hate‑crime assault, hate‑crime criminal obstruction of breathing, and hate‑crime aggravated harassment. If convicted, legal experts say she could face a prison term of up to 15 years for the most serious charge.
“The NYPD takes any incident of bias‑motivated violence extremely seriously,” a department spokesperson said. “Our Hate Crimes Task Force is working closely with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
The alleged assault comes amid a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in New York City. Recent city data show reports of antisemitic harassment and assault have nearly tripled compared with the same period last year, even as overall crime statistics have declined.
The video of the attack was posted on social media by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, which called for swift legal action. “This brutal act is a reminder of the urgent need to combat hate speech and violence on our public transportation,” the group said in a statement.
According to the victim’s account to the Jerusalem Post, Smith had earlier asked other passengers if they were Jewish and repeated a false claim that Jews steal wealth—an antisemitic trope. The victim said she felt targeted because of her religion.
Smith, who lives in the Bronx, is currently being held pending arraignment. The case is slated to be presented to a Manhattan grand jury next week.
The NYPD reminded the public that anyone who experiences or witnesses bias‑motivated conduct should contact authorities immediately via 911 or the department’s bias‑crime hotline.