A man has been charged with a brutal subway hammer attack that has left a beloved New York City scientist fighting for her life.
The shocking attack took place last Thursday around 11:20 p.m. at the Queens Plaza E, M, and R station. That is when New York City Department of Health research scientist Nina Rothschild was approached from behind by a man who kicked her and began beating her in the head with the hammer once she was on the ground. He then took off with her purse that contained two cell phones, debit cards, credit cards, and cash. Rothschild was rushed to Weill Cornell Medical in critical condition. However, her family says she is beginning to make progress.
“Happily, Nina is indeed getting stronger by the day. Intellectually she is clear on events from 30 years ago and from 3 days ago, and I attribute that to the excellent care of the trauma team at NYP-Weill Cornell,” said her brother Gerson Rothschild.
On Sunday, police arrested 57-year-old William Blount. He was charged with first-degree attempted murder, assault in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.
Another person, 57-year-old Denise Alston, was arrested in connection to Rothschild’s attack. According to investigators, she made a $19 purchase using Rothschild’s credit card. She also had identification and other items belonging to the victim at the time of her arrest. Alston was hit with a slew of charges, including fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny.
