New York Man Stabs 2 Teens Visiting From South America; Suspect Arrested, Charged with Attempted Murder

A New York man with a history of arrests is now facing a slew of charges, including attempted murder and a hate crime, after allegedly stabbing two teenage girls inside Grand Central Terminal on Christmas Day, as reported by New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

The victims, aged 14 and 16, were visitors from South America enjoying lunch in the Grand Central Dining Concourse around 11:25 AM when the attack occurred, according to FOX News.

The New York stabbing suspect, Steven Hutcherson, a 36-year-old Bronx resident with a lengthy rap sheet, was swiftly apprehended by nearby officers less than one minute after the incident, according to authorities.

Meanwhile, the Paraguayan consulate general's office in New York is providing support to the victims' family, who were visiting from Paraguay, per NBC New York.

The family has requested privacy during this difficult time, said consulate Luis Dominguez.

New York Stabbing Allegedly Fueled by Hate

The suspect, Steven Hutcherson, reportedly shouted, "I want all the white people dead. I want to sit next to the crackers," according to police sources.

He then attacked the teens, stabbing the 16-year-old in the back, causing lung injuries, and the younger girl in the thigh, per the NY Post.

Prior to the incident, Hutcherson had approached a restaurant staff, expressing his desire for a table without intending to order anything.

When his request was denied, he became agitated, pointing out that the victims' family wasn't eating at the time. In a fit of rage, he grabbed a knife and assaulted the girls.

Transit police officers quickly intervened, and Hutcherson dropped the knife upon their arrival, as confirmed by the MTA.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with everyone running in the aftermath of the attack.

Hutcherson faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child.

He was awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court.

The victims, who were staying at a nearby Midtown hotel, were transported to Bellevue Hospital by FDNY EMS for treatment.

A hotel worker confirmed that the teens were released later that day and are in stable condition.

New York Christmas Stabbing Suspect's Early Police Trouble

Hutcherson's recent arrest follows an earlier incident in early November, where he was taken into custody after allegedly threatening to shoot a stranger in the Bronx, USA Today noted.

"I'm gonna shoot you. I don't care what kind of green card the government gave you," he said.

Although he did not carry out the shooting, police reported that he mimicked the act.

Upon arrival, officers did not discover any firearms on Hutcherson, but they did find a knife in his possession.

Hutcherson has entered guilty pleas for charges stemming from both his November 7 and July 24 arrests related to weapons possession.

Following the July arrest, he received a 15-day sentence. For the November incident, Hutcherson was granted a conditional discharge.

Additionally, a temporary restraining order was issued against him concerning the victim involved in the November incident.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged the unsettling nature of such incidents in high-profile locations like Grand Central Terminal.

He emphasized the importance of swift arrests to address concerns about safety and expressed the need to remove repeated offenders from the streets.

"Any time you have incidents in these high-profile locations, it sends the feeling of people don't feel safe, and that's why we have to zero in and make the arrest as soon as possible and make sure we get those repeated offenders off our streets," Adams said.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Suspect in stabbing of teen girls at Grand Central Station has long rap sheet - From FOX 5 New York