June 27, 2025 LONG ISLAND CITY, Queens – A suspect has been apprehended in connection with the shocking pepper-spray assault on a young mother and her infant aboard an M train in Queens last week. Police confirmed the arrest of Edward Vargas on Thursday morning, bringing a measure of relief to a community shaken by the unprovoked attack.
The incident, which left a 25-year-old mother and her 11-month-old daughter struggling to breathe and suffering from severe eye irritation, reportedly stemmed from a simple refusal to lend a cell phone. According to authorities, Vargas allegedly became embroiled in an altercation with the victim after she declined his request to use her mobile device.
The victim, who spoke exclusively with Eyewitness News shortly after being discharged from an Astoria hospital, recounted the terrifying ordeal. She stated that her brief interaction with her alleged assailant began on the platform of the 36th Street station when he asked to borrow her phone, a request she denied.
The situation escalated dramatically when the M train arrived at the Court Street 23rd Street station in Long Island City. Without warning, the man allegedly unleashed a substance, believed by the victim to be pepper spray, directly at her and her infant. "A guy just came out of nowhere, and he throws the pepper spray to me and my child," the traumatized mother stated.
Both mother and daughter received treatment at Mount Sinai Queens and were released several hours later. Vargas now faces two counts of assault in connection with the incident.
