New York City authorities released a 23-year-old woman with a history of eight prior arrests after she was arrested for a violent assault on a subway cellist. Amira Hunter was taken into custody on Wednesday, nearly two weeks after allegedly attacking 29-year-old musician Iain S. Forrest during a performance at the Herald Square station.
During her arraignment on Thursday, Manhattan prosecutors requested $15,000 cash bail or a $45,000 bond for Hunter, citing her multiple previous court date failures in other criminal cases from the previous year. Despite her criminal record, which includes charges of grand larceny and assaulting her mother, Hunter was released on supervised release by Judge Marva Brown.
The attack on Forrest, captured on video, showed Hunter striking him in the head with his own metal water bottle while he played “Titanium” by Sia underground. The victim, a Mount Sinai PhD student, expressed feeling demoralized and saddened by the incident, leading him to temporarily suspend his subway performances and advocate for better security for musicians in the transit system.
Forrest’s decision to halt his performances indefinitely sparked the creation of the Subway Performers Advocacy Group to push for increased safety measures. The group aims to ensure that individuals, including musicians, are protected from violence while performing in New York City’s transit hubs.
Despite the traumatic experience, Forrest found the strength to resume playing music with the support of tools provided by a music company. He emphasized the need for the NYPD to address the growing safety concerns faced by performers and called for accountability for those responsible for senseless attacks like the one he endured.
As the investigation continues, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) issued a statement condemning the violence faced by musicians in the transit system. The MTA reiterated its commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for their actions while working to enhance safety measures for all individuals utilizing the subway system.
The resilience and determination displayed by Forrest in the face of adversity serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting and protecting artists and performers in public spaces. The incident underscores the need for increased security measures and proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals contributing to the cultural vibrancy of New York City’s subway system.