Cops: Suspect in deadly Bronx subway attack identified

NEW YORK -- Police said Monday that they know who they are looking for in connection to the death of a man who was pushed onto the tracks of an oncoming subway train, reported CBS New York

Police have identified the suspect as a 34-year-old Bronx resident with more than 30 prior arrests on charges of robbery, assaults and drugs. The new information came after the NYPD posted images of the suspect following the incident on Sunday. The man was identified in published reports as Kevin Darden, WCBS 880′s Paul Murnane reported.

His most recent arrest, notes CBS New York, is Nov. 9 when he was caught allegedly pick-pocketing in midtown Manhattan. The suspect now stands accused in the death of Wai Kuen Kwok on Sunday.

Detectives say Kwok, 61, had been heading into Chinatown with his wife for her birthday when he was pushed onto the tracks and killed.

Train operator James Muriel, an MTA employee of 23 years, told 48 Hours' Crimesider reporter Michelle Sigona he was driving the train on Sunday when he saw something being tossed onto the track ahead of him.

"At first I thought I was a bag of clothes, I did not see a head, I did not see an arm and I did not see a leg." Muriel said. "Then I heard screaming."

He told Crimesider he attempted to stop the train by immediately implementing an emergency shut off. Once that happens, there is nothing any operator can do, he said -- the train takes over.

Muriel said the brakes are applied on the 10 cars, but because the train weighs over 100 tons, he needs 300-400 feet to stop the train.

"I watched as the body got tossed to the tracks and I ran over the body," said Muriel. "I put three cars over the gentleman."

Following protocol, Muriel went down to the tracks and give his employer an update of the condition of the victim. He said he looked under every car, and when he got to the third car, he saw the body was badly mangled. "I knew he was dead on arrival," he said.

At that point Muriel called his employer and power was immediately shut off. Police, the fire department and emergency responders were all notified at the same time, Muriel said.

When Muriel got back up to the platform, he met up with the victim's wife who he said "ran into my arms."

"She begged for help," Muriel said. "I informed her help was on the way."

Three minutes later, police showed up and ushered people off the train. He said he tried to block some passengers from taking photos of the body.

The victim's wife spoke broken English. "Help me, help me, help me, call someone," the woman said, according to Muriel.

Muriel said many people on the platform were emotional.

When Crimesider asked what his hope is for the family, he said, "I hope they realize it's not my fault."

Investigators told reporters the man who pushed the victim afterwards boarded a Bx35 bus and got off minutes later, entered a bodega and eventually left -- smoking a cigarette.

"It's crazy how sick some people are to just shove someone onto the track, kill someone and then just go on with their day like nothing happened," Allen Sneed told CBS New York.

It was not clear what led to the fatal shove, police said. The two reportedly did not exchange words, there was no struggle and it does not appear to be an attempted robbery.

The NYPD passed out fliers throughout the neighborhood, hoping for tips. Police also searched homeless shelters, hospitals and parolees who live in the neighborhood, according to CBS New York.

One area resident told the station that he recognized the suspect.

"That guy looks like the crazy dude living in the neighborhood," said Malik Gregory. "I see him around the neighborhood, mumbling to himself."

Police said earlier Monday that they were offering a $2,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.