A 69-year-old man acted in self-defense on a Queens subway, stabbing two men attempting to rob him. One attacker died, and the District Attorney declined to press charges.

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QUEENS, NY (1-minute read) — A 69-year-old man who defended himself during a robbery attempt on a Manhattan-bound No. 7 train in Queens was not charged after the Queens District Attorney ruled the incident as self-defense.

The encounter unfolded early Sunday morning at approximately 12:30 a.m. in the Woodside area. The man was reportedly asleep when a group of men attempted to steal his bags. Upon waking and realizing the theft, he attempted to retrieve his bag.

During the struggle, the man produced a knife and stabbed two of his assailants. A 32-year-old man was fatally stabbed in the chest and later pronounced dead at Elmhurst Hospital. Another man suffered facial injuries and remains hospitalized for treatment.

Authorities confirmed that the Queens District Attorney’s Office opted not to press charges, citing strong indications that the elderly man acted in self-defense.

Safety Tip: Consider carrying non-lethal self-defense tools (in addition to what you normally carry) and ensure you are familiar with local self-defense laws.