BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A 32-year-old homeless man has been indicted on murder charges for allegedly fatally stabbing another man during a dispute aboard an N train at the Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island subway station, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez identified the defendant as Zhongqian Chen, who was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Chen, who is being held without bail, faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He is scheduled to return to court on February 7, 2025.
“This was a tragic and senseless murder that is particularly frightening as it took place aboard a subway car with several commuters,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “There is no place for this type of violence in Brooklyn. We will now seek to get justice for the victim and his loved ones.”
According to investigators, the incident occurred on October 29, 2024, at approximately 11:10 p.m. while Chen and the victim, Timothy Rudolph, 54, were aboard an N train at the Coney Island station. Authorities allege that Chen approached Rudolph, sparking a physical altercation. During the fight, Chen allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Rudolph twice, striking him in the torso and leg.
Rudolph, a Bronx resident, was rushed to NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn, where he was pronounced dead. The deadly incident has added to concerns about public safety on the city’s subway system.