A 51-year-old homeless man, Hector Deleon, was arraigned Friday on seven counts of attempted murder after a violent stabbing spree at Penn Station in New York City on Sunday, June 7, 2026. According to a criminal complaint, Deleon allegedly used a double-sided blade to stab four people, including one victim in the head, and punched two others in the face during the random attack.

The 51-year-old defendant with a prior knife assault on his record

Deleon's history of violence is central to understanding the Sunday rampage. According to court records cited in the arraignment, Deleon had previously been accused of stabbing a man in the neck with a six-inch blade. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in that case but received only two years of probation when sentenced the following year. That lenient outcome has drawn fresh scrutiny as the Manhattan District Attorney's office now pursues the far more serious charges of attempted murder.

Seven counts of attempted murder: what the complaint alleges

The criminal complaint details a chilling attack : Deleon allegedly plunged his double-sided blade into one victim's head, piercing the left temporal lobe. Four people suffered slash or stab wounds, and two others were punched in the face. The charges include seven counts of attempted murder,five counts of assault,and six counts of attempted assault, as reported by the Manhattan District Attorney's office. First responders and Amtrak police arrived to block off the scene in one of the busiest transit hubs in the country.

Victim Henry Obadiah’s account: 'He went at me to kill me'

Henry Obadiah, 60, was traveling home to New Jersey when, he said, Deleon locked eyes with him and delivered a roundhouse punch to his face. Obadiah told reporters, 'The crazy guy loced his eyes on me and just roundhoused me! Clocked me right in the face… I heard the guy on the escalator say, “He’s got a knife! He’s got a knife!”' Obadiah added, 'He went at me to kill me! I saw the rage in his eyes.' His testimony underscores the randomness and terror of the attack.

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s vow to pursue accountability

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement, 'This was a terrifying attack in the middle of Penn Station during an incredibly busy time in New York City. We will pursue accountability in this matter and continue to prioritize preventing these types of random and violent incidents from occurring in the first place.' The statement leaves open what preventive measures are under consideration, especially given Deleon's prior conviction for a similar knife assault.

What remains unknown about Deleon’s drug state and mental health

Sources told reporters that Deleon was likely high on drugs during the stabbing spree, but no toxicology results have been released. It is also unclear whether Deleon had been evaluated for mental illness or was receiving any treatment . The report does not say if Deleon had a fixed address or was known to outreach teams. These unanswered questions are critical to understanding both the motive and whether such an attack could have been prevented.