“When the doors opened, an officer entered and saw what he believed was a criminal act occurring,” Chief Nestel said in a press conference. “He ripped that man off her and pulled him out onto the platform.”
Police and city officials were troubled that no one intervened. And the news conference emphasized the need for people to contact the police immediately. Reports can be made anonymously. And each train car also has emergency buttons that can be used.
“What we want is everyone to be angry and disgusted and to be resolute about making the system safer,” he said, adding that it “concerns me” no one helped or intervened in the 40 minutes assault.
The video appears to show passengers possibly recording the attack. “There were people witnessing the act with phones in their hands,” claims Nestel. “People were holding their phone up in the direction of this woman being attacked.”
Arrest records show Fiston Ngoy, 35, is facing several charges, including rape. His last address is listed as a local homeless shelter.
