Philadelphia anti-violence nonprofit leader Rosalind Pichardo-Kent charged in knife attack on SEPTA train

The founder of the Philadelphia anti-violence nonprofit Operation Save Our City used a box cutter to stab a woman on a SEPTA train earlier this month, transit officials said.

According to an incident report, Rosalind Pichardo-Kent was charged with two counts of aggravated assault along with five other assault and harassment-related charges. Pichardo-Kent posted bail.

Transit Police responded to a report of a stabbing on the Market-Frankford Line at 8th Street on July 17, SEPTA officials said. Police found two women involved in a physical confrontation and both suffering injuries. Both women were taken to local hospitals for treatment, and police detained Pichardo-Kent.

CBS News Philadelphia reached out to Pichardo-Kent about the incident. She referred us to her attorney, who said she had no comment on behalf of her client.

Operation Save Our City, which started in 2012, runs Sunshine House in Kensington, a community hub offering harm reduction, overdose training and support for people in addiction and homelessness. 

In an interview with CBS News Philadelphia Monday about a recent shooting in Kensington, Pichardo-Kent said, "it's frustrating that not even the SEPTA trains are safe or underneath the SEPTA trains are safe."

"I'm also speaking from experience, losing many people to gun violence here in Philly, particularly my brother's case, which is currently unsolved, and also being attacked on Friday on the Market-Frankford Line, which resulted in a stabbing," she said.

The City of Philadelphia's Office of Public Safety confirmed to CBS News Philadelphia that Operation Save Our City received a $20,000 grant in June. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office also previously awarded grants to the nonprofit.