Medical student allegedly pushed 72-year-old man into moving train in random New Year’s Day attack
01/05/2026 6:28 pm PST
BRONX, N.Y. (TCN) -- A medical student has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a random subway attack in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
According to CBS News, at 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 72-year-old Julio Figueroa was standing on the platform at a Bronx subway station when he was approached by a stranger and pushed into a southbound train that had just come into the station. He sustained head injuries after he reportedly bounced off the train and onto the platform.
The New York Post reports the attack rendered Figueroa unconscious.
The random attack was allegedly carried out by 29-year-old Anton Aleshin, a medical student. He was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and harassment, according to CBS News.
The New York Post reports Aleshin previously worked as a doctor in Russia.
According to Figueroa’s niece, her uncle, a grandfather of 17, had spent the evening at a casino and was on his way home when the attack occurred. She said he does not remember what happened and is currently recovering, CBS News reports.
Aleshin pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bond. According to WPIX, the judge was concerned Aleshin could flee to Russia, which has no extradition treaty with the United States. He is due to appear in court on Jan. 6, according to CBS News.
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