YU Student Assaulted at 181st Street Subway Station in “Unbiased Attempted Robbery”

On Thursday night, at the subway station on 181st St. and St. Nicholas Ave., a Yeshiva University student was attacked by what reports say was a group of 4 masked assailants. The student was taken to the hospital and has since returned to campus. 

The attack occurred at approximately 7 p.m. in an area of the station that Rabbi David Bashevkin, clinical assistant professor of Jewish values at the Sy Syms School of Business, said was a “blind spot” lacking police presence and surveillance. The 20 year-old victim suffered kicks and punches throughout his body from the assailants, who had asked him for change, according to police. He was taken to Columbia University Irving Medical Center in stable condition. Authorities have since launched an investigation.

YU told students late Thursday night that the attack was an “unbiased attempted robbery.” The NYPD reportedly concurs.

“This evening at approximately 7:00pm, one of our students was assaulted in an unbiased attempted robbery off campus in the subway station at 181st Street,” the message, sent to all undergraduate students, read. “He is back on campus in good condition.”

“YU Security is aware of the incident and is coordinating with law enforcement authorities,” it added. “All YU students, faculty, and staff are reminded to exercise caution at all times. Please remain alert to your surroundings. When you see something, say something.”

According to Bashevkin, the victim “went to public school and came to YU for its Jewish life.” The victim’s identity has not been made public. 

“Short of YU hiring a private security firm to police the entirety of Washington Heights, we need a safe NYC. Everywhere,” Bashevkin wrote. “Yeshiva University is a visibly Jewish College Campus — there needs to be a plan for ensur[ing] their safety.”

The Anti-Defamation League’s New York and New Jersey office stated that they are “aware of this reported incident and are connecting with law enforcement, community partners and Yeshiva University to learn more.” 

“Our thoughts are with the victim, and the Yeshiva community impacted,” it said.

Manhattan Shomrim commented in a statement that “there is no known threat to our community” and the attack was an apparently “isolated incident.”

“Let’s continue to look out for one another and stay united as a strong, caring, and vigilant community,” it said.

Yeshiva Student Union President Aiden Harow (YC ‘26) called for the attack to be “universally condemned and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Harow told The Commentator that he “stands with the victim and his family and [is] solemnly committed to helping in any way I can.” He also called on YU to “leverage all of its considerable influence to ensure that this attack is treated with the proper degree of urgency.”

“I implore the NYPD to track down those responsible and put them behind bars where they belong,” he said.

Updated Feb. 14.

This is a developing story. 

Photo Caption: 181st St. Subway Station

Photo Credit: The Commentator