July 23, 2026 QUEENS, NY A quiet evening commute in Queens turned into a nightmare when an unidentified man brandished a weapon and hurled hate-fueled threats at two young women on a public bus.
Police are now pleading with the public for information as the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force takes over the investigation into what began as a routine ride through Woodside.
A Quiet Commute Distracted by Unexpected Terror
The unsettling incident occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, aboard a Q66 MTA bus.
As the bus neared the busy intersection of Northern Boulevard and 51st Street, an aggressive passenger approached two young women—aged 19 and 21—and confronted them without provocation.
Pulling out a box cutter, the suspect reportedly demanded to know their religious background, threatening physical violence based purely on his perception of their faith:
“Are you Muslim? Because if you’re Muslim, I will punch you in the face.”
The suspect fled the bus shortly after the confrontation before any physical injuries were sustained. However, the harrowing encounter left passengers shaken and local residents on high alert.
NYPD Launches Search for Suspect
Initially handled by officers at the 114th Precinct, the investigation was quickly escalated to the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force due to the explicit nature of the threats.
Authorities have released a brief description of the suspect in hopes that witnesses or community members can help identify him.
| Suspect Details |
|
| Last Seen Attire |
Baseball cap, black tracksuit top, blue jeans |
| Weapon Identified |
Box cutter |
| Location of Incident |
Q66 MTA Bus (Northern Blvd & 51st St, Woodside) |
