Subway "Push Death" Update: Suspect Naeem Davis arrested for murder in NYC train fatality

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - New York City police have arrested the man they say confessed to pushing another man onto the subway tracks and to his death.

Naeem Davis, 30, was arrested Wednesday and charged with depraved indifference murder and attempted murder, CBS New York reported.

The station reports that police say Davis implicated himself in the death of Ki-Suk Han, 58. Han was hit by a southbound "Q" train at the 49th Street station Monday after getting into an altercation with a man on the subway platform, police said.

David was taken in for questioning on Tuesday.

A photograph of Han standing on the tracks just moments before his death was snapped by a freelance photographer and was seen on media outlets Tuesday, provoking widespread controversy.

In cell phone video released by police, a man could be seen arguing with the victim, telling him "Take your [expletive] over there, stand on line, wait for the R train."

"We have a witness that says there was a shoving or a push, depends on how you characterize it," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said.

After falling onto the tracks, Han tried to scramble back onto the platform but was crushed by the oncoming train, police said.

Davis was reportedly known by some in the area as someone who assisted sidewalk vendors. Others described him as a panhandler who seemed mentally disturbed and was seen talking to himself.

Han was a citizen of Korea living in Elmhurst, Queens, with his wife and daughter. Police said he had come to Midtown to renew his passport.

More on Crimesider
Dec. 4, 2012: NYC Subway Death Update: Suspect Naeem Davis questioned by police in alleged "fatal push"
Dec. 4, 2012 - New York man allegedly pushed off subway platform, killed by train

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by TheNYCCharles December 6, 2012 9:26 PM EST: The photographer may be lying... you can see in the photo, the light from his flash on the platform and on the victim... if he's using zoom as he claims, he better be using a dslr with a big zoom lense and a big external flash. NYPD should get the photo from the media company that he sold the photo to... the photo has EXIF that records all the information, including the focal length (zoom) the shot was taken, the model of the camera and whether or not an external flash was attached to the camera... all of which can prove whether or not the photographer stood by and watch an innocent family man die.; Reply to this comment


by MrSchulz December 5, 2012 9:23 PM EST: What I don't understand that if he had any kind of concience, he would of never sold the photos, especially for 100,000.. I've heard of more photos snapped by different angles and the photographer had more than one can't find any though really interested to see how many people stood and watched even though I wouldnt be to fond seeing someone being crushed by a train; Reply to this comment


by watchdog4all2012 December 5, 2012 8:15 PM EST: Yes, the same fate with more time to think about it....maybe 2 minutes; Reply to this comment


by watchdog4all2012 December 5, 2012 8:13 PM EST: Another "Pants on the Ground creep" wearing what appear to be "Dirty Diapers"; Reply to this comment


by arkajun-2009 December 5, 2012 6:16 PM EST: I understand that Bob Costas is now pushing for a ban of all subway trains.; Reply to this comment

by credibility2 December 5, 2012 4:55 PM EST

This piece of human debris deserves the same fate as his innocent victim. And those who were in the vicinity to try and pull the pushed victim back onto the platform from the rails and try to save his life, should suffer with a guilt-ridden conscience until the day they die.

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by LosAngelesCA December 5, 2012 6:37 PM EST: I completely agree with you and I am very disturbed that this picture was released in any media outlet.

by kbbpll December 5, 2012 4:05 PM EST

This story is missing some details from other outlets - that they are investigating whether Han jumped a turnstile and ran into Davis prior to the platform argument, and that Han had an empty pint of vodka on him. There may be more to this story, although that won't excuse the outcome.

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by kbbpll December 5, 2012 7:10 PM EST: Well, if the victim was drunk and belligerent, and started it by jumping a turnstile and crashing into Davis, it's relevant to the trial. I'm only saying that CBS isn't giving all the facts here.

by Shark-attackman December 5, 2012 3:43 PM EST

The photographer should of put down his camera and attempted to help the victim even though he says he did not have the strength to assist. He should be charged with involentary manslaughter!

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by ReUnpack December 5, 2012 5:08 PM EST: Involentary manslaughter?! Why is it always somebody elses fault? He should have been able pulled himself out. Look at the picture. The edge of the platform was at his armpits.


by sickofbull December 5, 2012 3:04 PM EST: Yup. The photographer says he hardly knew what was happening. So he took the photo. And did not help.

This is who we are now, folks. The money for the pic is more important than even an attempt to save this poor man.; Reply to this comment

by thetruthwillout December 5, 2012 2:43 PM EST

I heard someone snapped a picture of Han scrambling to get back on the platform. I find that interesting. I guess a picture is worth more than a human life to some people. Why didn't the person snapping the photo try to help the man?

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