Metro

Cellist attacked by deranged woman on subway platform starts victim advocacy group

By
Social Links for Dana Kennedy
Published March 2, 2024, 11:38 a.m. ET

The subway cellist who was attacked out of the blue when a woman threw a metal water bottle at his head last month has announced a new advocacy group for subway performers in a video he posted to X.

Iain. S. Forrest, 29, was sitting on a stool passionately playing the instrument in the 34th Street-Herald Square station Feb. 13 when the assailant approached him out of nowhere, according to cops.

A 23-year-old with eight prior arrests was busted in the shocking attack — and was promptly cut loose Thursday despite pleas that she be held on bail.

Amira Hunter was nabbed Wednesday night, 15 days after she allegedly bashed Forrest, 29, in the head.

A photo of Iain Forrest who is wearing a blue shirt and looking at the camera.
Iain Forrest, 29, a cellist and MD-PhD student at Mt. Sinai, has formed a new advocacy group for subway performers called SPAG. X/IainSForrest

At her arraignment Thursday on second-degree assault charges, Manhattan prosecutors argued for $15,000 cash bail or $45,000 bond, noting that Hunter has failed to appear at three of her five court dates in other criminal cases last year.

Judge Marva Brown, who opted Thursday to release the alleged attacker was only recently elected to her judicial role after nearly two decades as a public defender.

Forrest, an MD-PhD student at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, first thanked the NYPD, saying he was “relieved and thankful” that the suspect had been caught.

Hunter attacking Forrest.
Hunter is well-known to police with eight prior arrests and was last taken into custody in October after stealing $2,050 worth of bathing suits from New York’s famous Bergdorf Goodman. IainSForrest/X
Iain Forrest is a MD-PhD Student in genetics/precision medicine student and was busking in the subway playing cello at 34th street when a stranger attacked him with his own water bottle
The senseless assault was filmed by fans recording Forrest’s performance. IainSForrest/X
A photo of accused subway attacker Amira Hunter.
Amira Hunter, 23, who has eight prior arrests, was arrested in connection with the attack but was released without bail over the protests of prosecutors. Gabriella Bass

“Instead of getting mired in the complexities of bail reform, I want to focus on everyone staying safe and moving forward positively with music,” Forrest said.

“Together we can work toward creating safer environments for performers and addressing the underlying incidents that contribute to these incidents,” he added.

He included a link where people can sign up to help SPAG’s efforts.

A photo of Judge Marva Brown getting into her car.
Judge Marva Brown released Amira Hunter without bail even though she has failed to appear at three of her five court dates in other criminal cases last year. Michael Nagle

Forrest has pointed out that he was just one of many subway performers who have been “attacked, harassed or robbed” while trying to entertain their fellow commuters.

He’s one of hundreds of volunteers for the MTA’s Music Under New York program, which schedules musicians to hold performances at transit hubs across the city.

The senseless assault was filmed by fans recording Forrest’s performance, with the musician seen clutching his head and instrument as he writhed in pain.