A felony offender with a history of 88 arrests, Damon Johnson, 47, set fire to a 37-year-old homeless man who was sleeping near the Amtrak train entrance at Penn Station Manhattan, at 33rd Street and 8th Avenue, in Midtown. The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. on Monday, in a high-traffic pedestrian area.
Details of the brutal attack
Johnson leaned over the victim, sprayed a flammable liquid and set him on fire, according to security camera footage. He remained at the scene for a minute before fleeing. Seconds later, the man stood up with his jacket on fire, ran towards the station and bystanders extinguished the fire. He was hospitalized with severe burns.
Penn Station Manhattan: transportation hub and danger
Penn Station Manhattan handles over 600,000 daily passengers on weekdays, including subway, commuter trains and Amtrak. It is the busiest station in the United States and North America, used by thousands of Dominicans who travel to and from the Dominican Republic. This key network connects the diaspora to jobs and family in New York.
Arrest and charges
Authorities arrested Johnson the next day. On Wednesday, he was processed at the Manhattan Criminal Court, pleaded not guilty and was held without bail. His extensive record includes previous robberies and assaults, which aggravates the case.
Security experts cite an increase in violent crimes in the New York City subway. In 2024, over 1,600 serious felonies were reported, a 20% increase from 2023, according to NYPD data. Homeless people are frequent targets due to their vulnerability in crowded stations like Penn Station Manhattan.
Similar precedents
- In December 2024, a Guatemalan set fire to a sleeping woman in a car at Coney Island.
- In 2022, another arson attack in the subway left severe injuries, prompting police operations.
The prosecution highlights the need for measures against repeat offenders. Local politicians call for increased surveillance at Penn Station Manhattan, crucial for 500,000 Dominicans in New York. This felony offender represents a pattern of impunity that alarms the community. In Penn Station Manhattan, security remains a topic of debate.
