Man Sentenced for Shoving Girlfriend into N.Y.C. Subway, Causing Amputation of Both Legs

A man was sentenced to 18 years in state prison after admitting to shoving his girlfriend into an oncoming subway train in New York City, an attack that resulted in the amputation of both her legs, prosecutors announced this week.

Christian Valdez, 36, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder on June 13 in connection with the 2024 incident, according to a press release from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

On March 9, 2024, Valdez and his 29-year-old girlfriend were arguing on the platform of the 2/3 train line at the Fulton Street station in downtown Manhattan before he pushed her into an oncoming train, the D.A.’s office said.

Officers who responded to 911 calls made by multiple witnesses found the woman underneath the train. The victim was taken to the hospital, where “both of her legs had to be amputated,” the release states. She also suffered rib fractures and a blood clot in her lung.

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Valdez, who fled the subway station to New Jersey, was arrested hours later when he returned to the city wearing what prosecutors said was the same outfit he wore during the incident. According to ABC7 NY, Valdez was out on parole for unrelated crimes at the time.

District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. called the attack a “life-threatening act of domestic violence in our transit system.”

“As a result of this extremely serious attack, the victim has permanent physical injuries, and experiences emotional trauma,” Bragg added. “I hope the resolution of this case offers her some sense of justice.”  

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.