Amira Hunter, a 23-year-old Brooklyn resident with a notable criminal history, has once again made headlines after being released without bail following her arrest for a violent incident on the New York City subway. Hunter, who has been arrested eight times prior, was caught on video attacking cellist Iain S. Forrest, 29, with a metal water bottle while he performed at the Herald Square station.

Despite prosecutors’ request for a $15,000 cash bail or $45,000 bond, citing Hunter’s history of failing to appear in court, Judge Marva Brown opted for supervised release. Hunter’s criminal record includes charges ranging from grand larceny, involving the theft of expensive bathing suits from Bergdorf Goodman, to assaulting her mother in 2019.

Her latest act of violence against Forrest, who participates in the MTA’s Music Under New York program, has reignited concerns over the safety of subway performers and passengers. Forrest, who has been physically assaulted in the subway before, expressed his trauma and demoralization following the attack, leading him to suspend his subway performances indefinitely.

This incident has not only spotlighted Hunter’s repeated run-ins with the law but also highlighted the broader issue of subway safety and the need for better protection for performers and commuters alike. The Subway Performers Advocacy Group, co-founded by Forrest, is calling for increased security measures to ensure a safer environment for artists and the public.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has condemned the violence, promising accountability for those responsible, as the city grapples with how to address recurring acts of aggression within its transit system.