What to Know
- An 8-year-old boy was punched in a random attack on the subway near the Fulton Street station on Monday, police say
- The boy, who was with his mother at the time, has autism, sources say; no words were exchanged between the victim and the suspect
- The boy was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated and released
A homeless man has been arrested for allegedly attacking an 8-year-old boy with autism who was riding the subway with his mom and sisters in Manhattan, police said.
The 8-year-old boy was on the train with his family around 8:30 p.m. Monday when the suspect walked over and punched him in the head as the train pulled into the Fulton Street subway station in the Financial District, according to the NYPD. Police said no words were exchanged during the attack.
It's not clear why the stranger attacked the child. He ran off afterwards.
The boy, whose head swelled up, was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated and released.
Law enforcement sources said the suspect was caught Tuesday when an on-duty NYPD inspector riding the train recognized the man in the same car. He made the arrest on the subway.
The suspect, 40-year-old Alex Bienamie, is facing charges of acting in a manner injurious to a child and assault. It's not clear if he has an attorney.
