William Blount, a 57-year-old homeless man, was arrested Sunday for allegedly striking a woman multiple times in the head with hammer at the Queens Plaza subway station Thursday night (Photo NYPD)
Feb. 27, 2022 By Christian Murray
A 57-year-old homeless man was arrested Sunday for the gruesome hammer attack of a woman at the Queens Plaza subway station Thursday night.
William Blount, 57, who resides at a Manhattan homeless shelter, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, robbery, and assault for allegedly hitting a woman as many as 13 times with a hammer as she was walking down a flight of steps at an entrance to the Queens Plaza subway station at around 11:20 p.m.
Police said that Blount lives at 52 William St. in Manhattan, the address of the former Radisson Hotel, which has been converted into a homeless shelter.
Police released a photo of the William Blount who allegedly bludgeoned Nina Rothschild with a hammer at the Queens Plaza subway station Thursday (NYPD)
The victim, Nina Rothschild, suffered a fractured skull and lacerations to the head and is in critical condition following the attack.
Rothschild was attacked on her way home from work. She was coming from the NYC Health Department, where she works as a senior health scientist, which is around the corner from the subway station.
Video was released of the incident Friday that caused public outrage.
“Last night’s vile, unprovoked attack on healthcare hero Nina Rothschild is chilling and sadistic beyond words,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.
“No one should feel unsafe in their community or feel like a target in their local subway station. In the wake of this savage assault, the NYPD must increase its presence at the Queens Plaza stop and the surrounding subway stations in the immediate area to give Western Queens residents the peace of mind they deserve as they move in and out of the transit system,” Richards said.
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34 Comments
We need stricter hammer control laws in New York. Let’s get Schumer started on this ASAP.
I hope the lady gets her purse ? back.
I don’t understand how this incident is funny for you. Do I need to remind you that it could have happened to your mom, your aunt, your sister?
I had my purse stolen before. They took my money, state ID, insurance and credit cards, ebt, house keys, phone and much more. It would of been a blessing to get everything or something back but the man who robbed me was never caught. It was such a headache trying to contact the right people to prevent further theft. I was not trying to be funny and do not find her situation funny.
Did Joy Won comment on this gruesome crime involving a shelter resident? Or does she only comment when defending shelters from residents and when its an attack against an Asian?
Julie Won..
Why would she? She is pro housing projects to bring more people like this in the neighborhood.
The advocates for the homeless will protect these homeless criminals forever. No progress will ever be made.
You are correct
They still defend the crazy lady who lives under 46 th street stop with her garbage
Why is that public health hazard allowed to camp there? It’s dangerous
This man needs to be locked in a psychiatric facility for a long long time
Life in prison. And just because the best option for him is not available in NY.
Yes. He needs social and psychological services. I blame systematic racism and the city neglecting his needs and wants for his actions.
I blame a violent criminal who made a choice to hurt an innocent person…he made the choice…he deserves to be punished…enough with the make believe systematic non sense. … my entire POC immigrant family (including me) thrived in this country… there were no systems to hold us back at any point. We were limited only by our creativity and drive.
NYC can’t even protect its own government scientists. What a joke. It’s just going to get worse. This will all be forgotten in a day or two.
Unfortunately there is no Return to Sender option. They screamed “Defund the police,” (and others joined in because of boredom, a misplaced or confused sense of justice, virtue signaling, or for one last chance to relive the ’60s,) and as they turned every police shooting incident into a police brutality or racially motivated attack on innocent citizens, criminals and those who were often victims of their own poor choices and bad behavior felt justified, vindicated, and were embolden. You voted for this…deal with it!
Jay-Your comment is absurd.
What’s it like living in make believe land? Jay is SPOT ON
I don’t know if it was caused by the Covid lockdown, defund police, protests, progressive leaders, releasing criminals from jail or not but i’ve never seen such hatred and rage like there is now. People are losing control and are snapping at the drop of a hat.
David, this predator didn’t “snap,” he planned and executed a vicious mugging of a vulnerable woman.
I’m glad your recent move from Indiana went well!
I always read comments about NYC going back to the 70s and 80s crime-wise. I was young and working in the 70s and 80s and, believe me, it’s much, much worse now than it ever was back then. Back then you kind of knew where to not go to at night. Sunnyside was a great place to live. Now crime is everywhere and the middle class class neighborhoods have turned into ghettos with luxury housing and doormen.
Without blaming the victim, I know Queens Plaza isn’t great late at night. And crime was way worse in the 1980s; I’m sure you’re savvy enough to find the stats.
“Violence against any New Yorker is unacceptable but an attack of a city worker who has dedicated her work to keeping people safe is particularly horrific,” Adams tweeted on Friday. ” So if she was poor and hammered during a robbery so many times it would not be as horrific for the mayor?
I believe Adams in this case would consider the victim a high skilled workers compared to some of the other victims that make the news.
Another violent white supremacist brought to justice!
what justice? he was already released by the DA.
Another homeless Black man committing a crime. No guns involved again just like the subway pusher and the Chinatown murderer just pure criminal act. Mayor Adams – why should I go back to work on a subway system filled with crime and homeless people? Keep your promises and make the city safer. Talk is cheap.
Glad they found him and the description was all we needed: “wearing all black and carrying a cane.” Why make it racial and mention the suspects race?
it’s a given that most crimes in NYC are committed by them.
Uhm. A suspect can change their clothes and maybe ditch the cane. Race is a bit more difficult to alter.
As the mayor said skilled workers must go back to the office so unskilled workers at like coffee shops are hired and get paid. This perception of fear needs to stop except when it comes to the city neglecting brown and black youth especially upcoming rappers.
I’m glad they caught this guy
This was a vicious attack
This guy should have been medicated and institutionalized
Why did he travel to queens to do this ? You can’t have people in shelters without supervision
this isnt his first felony, and definitely not his last. he has a long rap sheet.