Times Square subway death: Homeless man shoves woman, declares himself ‘God’

An Asian woman was pushed to death in front of a subway train at the Times Square station, New York, on Saturday, and Simon Martial, a homeless man has taken accountability for the action. 

As Martial was escorted out of the Midtown Manhattan police station, dressed in a Tyvek suit, cloth mask, slippers and a jacket, the 61-year-old yelled at reporters, “Go f**k yourself”. He was asked whether he’d attacked Michelle Alyssa Go, the 40-year-old Upper West Side resident who died. Martial acknowledged it, saying he was ‘God’. He further elaborated the motive behind his actions, saying, “Yeah because I’m God. Yes I did. I’m God, I can do it. she stole my f**king jacket, that’s why”.

Also Read | Hate crimes trial for Arbery killing will foreground racism

Officials said that the victim was waiting on the N/Q/R/W platform at 9:40 AM when Martial shoved her onto the tracks just as the southbound R train entered the station. NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell addressed the matter in a press conference, saying “This incident was unprovoked and the victim does not appear to have any interaction with the subject”. 

Initially, Martial had approached another woman who but she was alarmed and moved away, as per police reports. Assistant Chief Jason Wilcox belonging to the NYPD Detective Bureau said “She feels that he was about to physically push her onto the train. As she’s walking away she witnesses the crime where he pushes our other victim in front of the train.” 

Also Read | Teen mom caught on camera tossing newborn into dumpster in New Mexico

Martial then took the train to Canal Street and turned himself in to the transit authorities, around 13 minutes after the incident.  

Also Read | From billionaire to fugitive to convict: The Robert Durst timeline

After the coronavirus pandemic, hate crimes against the Asian American community has gone up and many of these take place in the subway stations, which is why there is an increased police presence there. Assistant NYPD Chief Kathleen O’Reilly addressed this incident, saying “We had a robust plan for this station today. We had six officers assigned to it. There were two officers on the southbound platform to the southern end when this incident occurred. Unfortunately, these incidents do occur. They’re rare but this one is very harrowing and disturbing.”