Stabbing on J-90 Shuttle Bus Leaves One Dead in Cypress Hills, Renewing Transit Safety Concerns
A fatal stabbing on a public shuttle bus in Brooklyn has intensified concerns over the safety of the city’s transit systems. Police say the attack occurred around 1:54 p.m. on the J-90 shuttle bus near the intersection of Crescent Street and Etna Street in the Cypress Hills neighborhood. Officers responded swiftly to a 911 call reporting the incident and arrived to find a 41-year-old man suffering from a stab wound to the abdomen.
Emergency responders transported the victim to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim, pending notification of his family.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the violent encounter appears to have stemmed from a dispute that erupted between individuals on the shuttle bus. The assailant fled the scene before officers could arrive. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing potential witnesses in hopes of identifying the suspect.
This tragic incident has struck a nerve in the Cypress Hills community, where residents are grappling with the unsettling reality of violent crime infiltrating spaces once considered relatively safe.
“I used to think it was safer than the train, actually,” said Esmeralda Ortiz, a longtime Cypress Hills resident and mother. “But now, after this, I think it’s everywhere. It can happen to anyone any time.”
Ortiz expressed heightened concern for her children’s safety in the wake of the attack. “I don’t feel safe. I think I should take more precaution, be on the lookout for anything—especially since I have my kids.”
So far in 2025, NYPD data shows there have been 12 reported transit-related crimes across the 75th Precinct, which includes both Cypress Hills and East New York. This marks a noticeable increase from the eight incidents recorded during the same period last year. While the rise may seem modest in number, the nature of the crimes—particularly those involving weapons—has deeply alarmed both local officials and residents alike.
The NYPD has increased its visible presence across several transit lines in the area in response to the surge. Officers are being deployed on buses and trains during peak hours in an attempt to deter crime and reassure the public.
Community leaders and advocates are now calling for broader systemic changes, including better mental health resources, improved surveillance on public transit, and enhanced coordination between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and law enforcement.
Anyone with information about the stabbing is strongly encouraged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). All calls are confidential, and tips may also be submitted online or via text message.
As the investigation unfolds, residents of Cypress Hills remain on edge, mourning a life lost and questioning what more can be done to ensure that buses, trains, and other public spaces are secure for all New Yorkers.