Penn Station victim says attacker had ‘rage in his eyes’ during random stabbing spree

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A victim wounded in the shocking stabbing rampage inside Penn Station has shared a chilling account of the attack, saying the suspect appeared determined to kill him as chaos unfolded inside one of the city's busiest transit hubs.

The incident took place on Sunday evening, with victim Henry Obadiah recounting the terrifying moments a day later on Monday.

Obadiah, a 60-year-old accountant from Midtown Manhattan, said he found himself face-to-face with the alleged attacker while simply trying to make his way home after traveling from Long Branch, New Jersey.

Henry Obadiah recalls terrifying encounter inside Penn Station

Speaking about the attack, Obadiah described the moment he noticed a disturbance while walking through Penn Station.

"He went at me to kill me! I saw the rage in his eyes," Obadiah said while recounting the frightening encounter.

The victim said he noticed two individuals struggling before the alleged attacker suddenly turned his attention toward him.

"The crazy guy locked his eyes on me and just roundhoused me! Clocked me right in the face and I was like, 'What the f--k?' And I heard the guy on the escalator say, 'He's got a knife! He's got a knife!'" Obadiah recalled.

What made the situation even more alarming was that he did not immediately realize he had been cut.

"I didn't realize I had just been slashed in the face," he said.

Obadiah explained that he initially assumed he had been sucker-punched. It was only after noticing blood and checking his reflection on his phone that he understood the severity of what had happened.

"I thought he just punched me. I felt my lip got busted and I saw the blood, but I took a look into my phone and saw the big cut in my face and I just ran up to the cop and said, 'I just got attacked,'" he said.

Five victims injured as violence unfolded across transit hub

Authorities said five people were either slashed or stabbed during the attack, which unfolded around 7 pm inside the crowded Midtown transportation center.

The violence left one victim seriously injured, while two others suffered moderate wounds and two sustained minor injuries.

In addition to Obadiah's facial injury, officials said a 52-year-old man and a 60-year-old man suffered cuts to their necks.

A 30-year-old man and a 42-year-old tourist were also hurt during the incident.

After informing officers that he believed he could identify the attacker, Obadiah accompanied police through the station.

As they followed what he described as a "huge trail of blood" toward the New Jersey Transit boarding area, he witnessed another victim receiving assistance.

According to Obadiah, the injured man appeared to be in his 20s and was sitting on the floor holding a blood-soaked towel against a severe head wound while bystanders attempted to help.

"The paramedics showed up shortly thereafter. While they were telling me that they should take me to the hospital, all these cops started running past and screaming, 'He stabbed someone else! He stabbed someone else!'" Obadiah recalled.

Suspect Hector Deleon reportedly had history of violent offenses

Law enforcement sources identified the alleged attacker as Hector Deleon, 51.

Authorities said Amtrak police arrested Deleon inside Penn Station after the attack.

Sources indicated that he appeared to be under the influence of an unidentified substance at the time of his arrest.

Investigators also said Deleon allegedly used a "boot dagger," described as a double-sided blade approximately six inches long, during the stabbing spree.

Records cited by sources show that Deleon has a lengthy criminal history that includes violent offenses.

One prior conviction involved an aggravated assault case from 2022 in which he allegedly stabbed a man in the neck with a six-inch knife.

Despite the seriousness of that incident, records indicate he received two years of probation.

Sources further said Deleon had been arrested as recently as May in New Jersey on theft and possession of paraphernalia-related charges.

At the time of reporting, the suspect was hospitalized and had not yet been formally charged.

Victim questions public safety after attack

In the aftermath of the violence, Obadiah expressed frustration over what he sees as worsening public safety conditions in the city.

Reflecting on the random nature of the attack, he argued that stronger action is needed to prevent similar incidents.

"Something has to be done. The city is getting worse and worse and no one seems to care. This administration? Law and order isn't the priority! The attackers have more rights than the victims," he said.

Obadiah added that he was concerned the situation could continue if broader changes are not made.

"It's not surprising that this happened and it doesn't seem like it's going to change under this administration," he said.

The victim also voiced concern for future victims who may find themselves caught in similar situations.

"Most people are voting for this stuff and they're voting for, 'Let's get rid of the police, the police got to stand down,' it's nuts! I want it to change, but not only for me but for the next victim of a crazy homeless guy that decides he had a bad day and he's going to kill a few people," Obadiah said.