Investigators say two men are wanted in a Sunday robbery and slashing at the West Farms Square–East Tremont Avenue station.
BRONX, N.Y. — Police on Friday released surveillance footage as they search for two men linked to a machete attack and attempted robbery that injured two riders around 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the West Farms Square–East Tremont Avenue subway station, authorities said.
Detectives said the case remains open and urgent because the suspects have not been identified and could still be in the area. The incident began with a brief exchange on the platform before turning violent, according to police. Investigators said the footage shows one man walking near the station and a dark getaway car. The release of video and stills marks a new step in the investigation after officers collected witness statements and canvassed for additional cameras earlier this week. Both victims were treated at a hospital and were expected to recover.
Police said the confrontation started when one suspect asked two men, “What are you looking at?” Moments later, one of the suspects swung a machete, slashing a 44-year-old in the wrist and legs. Another assailant punched a second victim, a 32-year-old, and tried to take his phone before fleeing. A portion of the attack unfolded on or near the platform at the West Farms Square–East Tremont Avenue station. Both victims were taken to St. Barnabas Hospital in stable condition. “It was quick and terrifying,” said a rider who arrived just after the assault and saw officers racing down the stairs.
Investigators said the machete used in the attack has not been recovered. Detectives are reviewing footage from inside the station and nearby businesses and are analyzing the images released Friday that show one suspect walking calmly in the vicinity and the vehicle believed to be involved. Police said the encounter lasted less than a minute, and the men ran from the station. The motive remains an apparent robbery connected to the attempt to steal a phone, authorities said. No arrests had been announced as of Friday evening, and the names of the victims were not released.
The West Farms Square–East Tremont Avenue stop sits near East Tremont Avenue and Boston Road, a busy transfer point for buses and the 2 and 5 lines. The station has seen a mix of evening commuter traffic and weekend riders heading toward the Bronx Zoo and Crotona Park. While overall city transit crime trends have fluctuated month to month this year, police responses often include targeted patrols and rapid video releases when weapons are used. Sunday’s slashing is one of a handful of recent high-profile incidents involving blades on or near subway platforms across the city.
Police said the case is being handled by transit detectives, who have conducted additional canvasses for witnesses this week and requested enhanced copies of security video from multiple angles. Investigators plan to brief local prosecutors once they identify the men. If arrests follow, charges could include robbery, assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Officials said any further updates would be released after they verify leads from the new video.
Commuters moving through the station Friday described a heavier police presence and a small cluster of evidence markers near the mezzanine earlier in the week. A deli worker on East Tremont Avenue said he saw officers reviewing footage from an exterior camera the day after the attack. “People were nervous, but the trains kept running,” he said. A rider waiting for a downtown 2 train said she noticed patrols at the turnstiles during the evening commute. None of the witnesses reported hearing additional disputes after the suspects ran off.
As of Friday night, the suspects had not been located and detectives were reviewing tips generated by the footage released earlier in the day. Police said they would share the next update if a suspect is identified or an arrest is made.
Author note: Last updated December 12, 2025.