Mesias Lojano, 59, was fatally stabbed aboard a J train at Woodhaven Boulevard station in Queens on Sept. 30 and later died at Jamaica Hospital. Witnesses pursued the suspected attacker through nearby streets and onto the roof of a detached garage, where police later arrested 25-year-old Jyrell Thomas. Authorities recovered a kitchen knife and charged Thomas with murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Investigators are reviewing video and witness statements to determine motive; police described the incident as possibly unprovoked.
Queens J Train Stabbing: 59-Year-Old Fatally Wounded, Bystanders Chase Suspect Onto Rooftop
Image by igorovsyannykov on Pixabay.
A New York City subway ride turned deadly on Sept. 30 when 59-year-old Mesias Lojano was stabbed aboard a J train at the Woodhaven Boulevard station in Queens. He was found unconscious with multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest and later pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital.
Chase and Arrest
Video circulating after the incident shows passengers rushing from the station and a group of bystanders pursuing a man dressed in black. Witnesses said the chase followed the attacker through nearby streets until he climbed onto the roof of a detached garage. Officers located the suspect after witnesses alerted them and found him lying on the roof; he complied with police and was taken into custody in handcuffs.
Suspect, Charges and Evidence
Police arrested 25-year-old Jyrell Thomas. Authorities recovered a kitchen knife at the scene and charged Thomas with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
Witness Accounts
Bismarck Villareyna, who witnessed the assault, recorded parts of the pursuit and told ABC7 New York that another bystander shouted for someone to stop the suspect, prompting the chase. Villareyna said he feared intervening physically but followed and recorded the suspect to gather evidence and later helped point police in the right direction.
Another witness, David Benenson, told CBS that he and others followed the alleged attacker until the man climbed onto a nearby roof. Benenson said several people remained in the area until officers arrived about 10 minutes later.
Investigation Status
Investigators are still probing the motive and the events that led to the stabbing. CBS reported police described the attack as unprovoked and said there was no prior interaction between Thomas and Lojano. ABC7 reported that police said Thomas approached Lojano inside the train before Lojano tried to walk away. Authorities continue to review video and witness statements.
Context
Police said this fatality is the sixth homicide in New York City’s subway system so far this year. Authorities noted there were four recorded subway homicides in 2025 and 10 in 2024.
Note: This article summarizes initial reports from CBS New York, ABC7 New York and NBC New York. Details remain under investigation and could change as police release more information.
Help us improve.
