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NYPD: Subway Back Flip Performers Punch Passenger in Face After Argument Erupts

May 28, 2018 By Christian Murray

The police are looking for two men who were doing back flips on an “E” train while it was traveling through Queens, before getting into a dispute with a passenger and punching the victim in the mouth.

The two suspects were doing a back flip performance on the Manhattan-bound train at about 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, when one of the performers kicked a 28-year-old man on the leg during their act.

The victim got into a dispute with the two men before one of them punched him in the mouth. The performers fled in an unknown direction. The victim sustained minor injuries.

The suspects are both described as being between 25 to 28 years of age. One of the men is white, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and 170 pounds, with brown eyes and a brown goatee. He was last seen wearing a black hat, black hooded sweatshirt, gray pants and white shoes.

The second man is described as black, approximately 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and approximately 170 pounds. He has long black dreads and a black goatee.

The police have released video of the suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)

email the author: news@queenspost.com

18 Comments

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SuperWittySmitty

They’re not coming to your house, they’re in a public space and they’re exercising their freedom of expression. I don’t feel as if they’re forcing anything on me; I sit there reading my book and ignore them. As long as people continue to donate money to them, they will continue to perform; grouchy old racists like you will have to deal with.

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Divinggets

First of all “SuperWittySmitty” (there’s a misnomer for you!), I’m not racist but since you don’t know how to respond to the issue at hand you have to play the race card. That’s just dumb! No one cares about their race or gender or whatever. Already told you that but apparently it doesn’t sink in. It’s a public space that is ENCLOSED, so while YOU may ignore them the rest of us can’t, and we shouldn’t be forced to. Our privacy and right to a “performance” free ride is being violated. We don’t pay train fares to be harassed and intruded upon by people who want to impose themselves on us. Try to focus on the real issue and leave the silly name-calling and race card at home.

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dubblebee

That’s the bottom line…as long as people will give money to these low-life’s, they will continue their act. If people would stop giving them any money, applause, or any recognition, they would soon enough disappear.

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SuperWittySmitty

Actually, the “bottom line” is that some people enjoy these performances and are willing to contribute a buck or two for the entertainment. Many see the opposition to these kids as a kind of racism, like when you refer to them as “low-life’s.” They’re kids with lots of energy and way too much free time. They think that others will admire the music and see them as talented dancers. Eventually, they’ll mature and realize they’re being obnoxious but they’ll never forget people like you branding them as substandard.

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Oscar Hernandez

Racism does NOT enter into this at all, so there’s no need to insert it. What most people object to is not the race or gender or whatever of the kids, but the fact that they are a captive audience and unable to opt out if they so desire. These so-called performers are imposing themselves on others, and that’s not right. If they ply their trade on the street corner or subway platform at least people have a chance to avoid them if they choose. They can also decide to stay if they think the performance is worth it. But inside the train cars people have no choice in the matter and THAT is what is most objectionable about these performers.

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SuperWittySmitty

Sure it does but you just want to pretend that it’s a bunch of white kids doing this. What do you say to the people who CHOOSE to donate to these kids? They’re entertained and probably don’t want you to interfere with their few minutes of pleasure. Personally, I dislike these performers but it’s nothing new, people have been playing music in subway cars for decades and then asking for donations. I prefer these kids over the mariachi guys any day.

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Oscar Hernandez

Sorry, but you’re wrong, again. You’re stuck on “racism” and wanting to pretend that anyone who objects to these people is “racist”. You keep overlooking and avoiding the fact that these people force themselves on others, most of whom don’t want the disturbance to what they hope will be an uneventful and relaxing trip to work. Anyone who likes the performance can go see them perform somewhere else. I don’t have the right to come to your house and do some act or play some music that you don’t want to see or hear. Right? It’s the same in the trains. No one cares about the race of these “performers”; what we don’t want is for them to impose themselves on a captive audience. If they really thought they were so damn good they would go audition on Broadway or the circus. They are wrong and there is no excuse for it.

thanks for admitting you're ghetto

the only ones who enjoy these ‘performances’ are ghetto trash.

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Carl

Maybe that passenger shouldnt have exagerated & kept calm about it because shit happens & people are just trying to make some extra cash performing whatever it is they’re good at!

Everyone commenting about how performers are annoying ya’ll need to loosen up & stop being so uptight! Its NYC embrace everything about it & stay humble!

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Frank Nigro

First, there is no such thing as subway performers. We as passengers must be afraid of other passengers using the hand rails and poles as jungle gyms? That is despicable? Typical Mayor DeBladio nonsense. Second, that suspect is definitely not white. Look again.

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SuperWittySmitty

I agree that this sort of activity should not be allowed and should be stopped. It has nothing to do with the Mayor, however- he’s not all-powerful and has limited ability to control what goes on in the subway and how frequently the police patrol the subways.

Saying someone is white or not white is silly- quite often it’s an arbitrary way of describing someone. Skin color can vary dramatically and some people with very light skin may very well have ethnic or cultural aspects in their heritage which make them identify with being “not white.” It’s NOT about skin color- I happen to think the person in the photo has “white” skin but do not think that “white” or “black” is an accurate way of describing this person.

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T.

Why is nothing at all being done to stop these “performances”? They endanger passengers and are, at the very least, extremely loud and annoying! Start cracking down on these hooligans immediately and protect those of us who are law-abiding and are bothering no one!

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Oscar Hernandez

“Performers”?! Trains are designed for transportation, to get people to where they need to go as quickly and as hassle-free as possible. These so-called ‘performers’ are a nuisance, and they shouldn’t be part of the deal.

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Divinggets

“Performers”??! Trains are designed for transportation, to get people where they need to go as quickly and as free from stress as possible. These so-called ‘performers’ are a nuisance and shouldn’t be part of the deal.

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Debbie

I absolutely HATE every single type of subway CAR performer, and have never understood why it is allowed, nor why the idiot passengers applaud and give money!
To mr, it is akin to being HELD HOSTAGE against my will! When people perform on the platforms, or th we street, we have the CHOICE to stay and watch or to walk away. In the subway car, there is nothing you can do-not fair, not right.
As to these 2 imbeciles, I hope they are caught quickly and punishrd!

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Sick O Thebullcrap

So is “performer” a new definition for panhandler? As far as I know panhandling is illegal on the subway.

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John O'Reilly

Maybe the MTA can designate one subway car on each train for use by “performers” and folks with overflowing bags/shopping carts and anyone who wants to experience that can go to that car, and leave the rest of us alone.

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