After social media manhunt, NYPD nabs man suspected of kicking elderly woman on Subway

The suspect believed to be the man who repeatedly kicked an elderly woman on a New York City Subway train on March 10 has been taken into custody by the New York City Police Department after a social media manhunt ensued.

The NYPD announced Saturday that 36-year-old Marc Gomez, who is accused of being behind the attack, now faces two counts of second degree assault, third degree assault, and harassment.

“UPDATE: The subject IS IN CUSTODY. The victim was treated & released from the hospital & is getting the care, advocacy & support needed. Thank you to the worldwide community for the tremendous assistance. Add’l details to follow @NYPDDetectives,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea tweeted.

According to The New York Post, Gomez’s court-appointed attorney, Steven Mechanic, said the woman threatened to stab his client with a knife.

On Thursday, Twitter user “Rello.” shared a video showing a black man kicking an elderly woman in the face repeatedly before leaving the Subway train. Several people on the subway car filmed the altercation and the assailant turned towards one of the cameras before leaving telling them to “World Star that, my n—a.” That was a reference to World Star Hip Hop, a social media page famous for posting videos of street fights. The assault took place at 3:10 a.m. at the White Plains Road/Nereid Avenue Street subway station on a northbound car pulling in the station.

None of the individuals filming the assault moved to help the elderly woman nor prevent the assailant from leaving. “Rello.” claimed the video wasn’t his, but clarifies that if he was there, “it was not going down like that. He was not getting away.” The unidentified victim, who is reportedly 78 years old, suffered swelling and bleeding from cuts to the face as a result of the kicks and was treated by emergency responders.

On Friday, the NYPD used the footage online to ask for assistance in identifying the man, which was shared online by several celebrities, including “Will & Grace” actress Debra Messing.

“Individual below is WANTED for a heinous attack of an elderly woman aboard a #2 train on March 10, 2019, at approx 3:10am, at the Nereid Ave Station in the #Bronx,” Shea tweeted. “If you know who he is or have info, contact CRIMESTOPPERS @NYPDTips ANONYMOUSLY 800-577-TIPS #YourCityYourCall.”

NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill shared footage of Gomez being escorted out of a building and into a police vehicle, congratulating the NYPD on the arrest.

The successful arrest was also heralded by celebrities, including rapper Ice T, who suggested that incarceration might be the least of the Gomez’s troubles.

“Looks like they got his bitchass…..,” Ice T tweeted. “FYI… He ain’t safe in jail….”