October 31, 2025 MANHATTAN, NY A recent spate of terrifying, random anti-Asian attacks in Manhattan has spotlighted the extreme challenges facing the city's criminal justice system, particularly concerning repeat offenders. The shocking saga centers on Clive Porter, 33, who has an alarming record of being arrested a staggering 86 times.
The Subway Attack That Ended the Rampage
The crime spree culminated in a horrifying incident at the Bowery and Delancey Street subway station around 4 p.m. on a recent Wednesday. Porter is accused of spontaneously sucker-punching a 45-year-old man, sending the victim tumbling directly onto the tracks below.
- The victim, fortunately, was able to climb back onto the platform.
- He was treated for a swollen eye following the brutal assault.
Police apprehended Porter less than an hour later. He now faces serious charges, including assault as a hate crime, harassment, and reckless endangerment, connecting the attack to a disturbing pattern of bias.
A Day of Terror: Four More Victims
Investigators connected Porter to at least four other incidents that occurred earlier the same day, marking a prolonged and indiscriminate assault on various victims:
- Elderly Man Assaulted: At approximately 9:40 a.m., a 72-year-old man on Hester Street was randomly punched in the face, resulting in a fractured nose and hospitalization.
- Targeted Knockdown: Just two minutes later, Porter allegedly targeted a 33-year-old Asian man on Canal Street, punching him in the head and causing him to fall to the pavement.
- Pickpocket Attempt: A minute after that, an elderly Asian woman on Eldridge Street was allegedly pickpocketed, though she was not physically injured.
- Another Elderly Victim: Porter is also accused of assaulting a second elderly woman at Forsyth Street and East Broadway.
The Chilling Record of an 86-Time Offender
Porter's criminal history is extensive and disturbing, comprising 61 felonies, 24 misdemeanors, and one violation.
This latest arrest brings into sharp focus the consequences of state bail laws. Just prior to this recent crime wave, Porter was on supervised release following two separate knife-related incidents that occurred in mid-October:
- Midtown Assault: On October 14, Porter allegedly threatened a man with a knife and punched him near Park Avenue, causing the victim to briefly lose consciousness. He was released because the top charge was a misdemeanor assault and not bail-eligible.
- Times Square Standoff: The same day, Porter allegedly brandished a knife at another man in Times Square, causing the victim to fall and suffer a severe leg injury while fleeing. He was also granted supervised release for these non-bail-eligible charges.
