New York City, New York — A 73-year-old man says he has no regrets about standing up for a pregnant woman on a New York City bus, even after the confrontation left him stabbed and hospitalized.
Robert Hunter was riding an MTA bus in Manhattan on June 5 when he said he stepped in after witnessing a man allegedly shove past a pregnant passenger carrying a baby stroller. What began as a brief request for courtesy quickly escalated into a violent assault involving multiple attackers.
Despite suffering injuries, Hunter said he believes speaking up was the right thing to do.
Dispute Began After Pregnant Woman Was Allegedly Pushed
According to Hunter, he was returning home from grocery shopping in Harlem when the incident unfolded aboard an M104 bus at around 6:30 p.m.
He said a pregnant woman with a baby stroller remained standing to allow other passengers to take available seats.
Hunter alleged that a man boarding the bus forced his way past the woman, striking her stomach as he squeezed through. Concerned by what he witnessed, Hunter said he spoke up.
“So all I said was, ‘You know the lady’s pregnant, show her some respect,’” Hunter recalled.
Instead of calming the situation, Hunter said his comment made him the focus of the confrontation.
Four Men Allegedly Attacked the Elderly Passenger
According to Hunter and law enforcement officials, the man responded aggressively before several other individuals joined the confrontation.
Hunter said another man approached from the rear of the bus, and moments later he found himself surrounded.
“One hit me from behind,” Hunter said. “I thought it was one, but it was three on me from behind and the bus driver’s saying ‘It’s four guys on you.’”
Police said the group allegedly punched Hunter multiple times in the head and body before one of the suspects produced a knife. Authorities said Hunter was stabbed in the left shoulder during the assault.
Emergency medical crews transported him to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where he was treated and listed in stable condition.
Victim Says He Doesn’t Regret Speaking Up
Although the attack left him injured, Hunter said he initially did not realize he had been stabbed.
“They took me in ’cause my arm was full of blood,” he said. “I didn’t feel it, feel the blood.”
Doctors treated the wound with three stitches before releasing him. Hunter described his injuries as relatively minor considering the violence of the assault. His family has since encouraged him to stop using public transportation out of concern for his safety.
“They’re like, ‘Take your car from now on,’ ‘We can’t afford to let nothing happen to you,’” Hunter said.
Wisconsin Daycare Operator Found Guilty After Toddler Suffers Severe Burns While in Her Care
Despite their concerns, he said he would still stand up for someone in need.
Police Continue Searching for Suspects
Hunter said his actions were motivated by empathy, explaining that he thought about how he would want others to respond if one of his own family members were being treated the same way.
“I try to look out ’cause if that was my daughter… [if] she was pregnant and someone was pushing her around, and you know, there’s no respect for women on the bus.”
The NYPD has released photographs of two suspects believed to be connected to the assault and is asking anyone with information to come forward.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to identify and locate everyone involved in the attack. Authorities encourage anyone with information to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers as the search for the suspects continues.
What do you think about this incident? Should harsher penalties be imposed for violent assaults on public transportation? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
