An 83-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran who was pushed onto subway tracks in Manhattan earlier this month has died from his injuries, and the suspect in the case is now facing a murder charge, according to court records, as reported by The New York Post.
Richard Williams, a grandfather, succumbed to his injuries after the March 8 attack at the Lexington Avenue–63rd Street subway station on the Upper East Side. The incident occurred just before noon as Williams waited for a train.
Authorities allege that Williams was shoved onto the tracks along with another man, identified as John Pena, 30. Prosecutors previously stated that Williams was “brain-dead” following the attack.
BREAKING: 83-year-old Air Force veteran Richard Williams is DEAD
He was randomly shoved onto NYC subway tracks by illegal migrant Bairon Hernandez — and died from his injuries.
Hernandez, a 4-time deported Honduran with 15 prior arrests, including:
• Aggravated… pic.twitter.com/XXKsTFr4RR— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) March 26, 2026
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His daughter, Debbie Williams, said in the days after the incident that her father was not expected to survive.
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The New York City medical examiner has ruled Williams’ death a homicide.
The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Honduran national Bairon Hernandez, was arrested on March 10.
Following Williams’ death, the charges against Hernandez were upgraded to murder, court records show. He is scheduled to appear in court again on March 30.
According to authorities, Hernandez pushed both men onto the subway tracks without warning. Pena, despite being injured himself, helped pull Williams back onto the platform moments before a train arrived at the station.
Video footage captured at the scene shows Hernandez walking along the platform after the incident. The footage, reportedly recorded by Pena from the tracks, shows the suspect moving through the station following the push.
OUTRAGE: An 83-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran and grandfather, Richard Williams, has tragically died from his injuries after a four-time deported Honduran illegal alien with 15 prior arrests randomly shoved him onto the New York City subway tracks, according to The New York… pic.twitter.com/KW3ztvpz5O
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) March 26, 2026
Law enforcement officials said Hernandez has a lengthy criminal history, with at least 15 prior charges that include aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, and domestic violence, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Officials also stated that Hernandez had been deported from the United States four times and had returned to the country illegally.
The attack has drawn attention due to the nature of the incident and the background of the suspect. Authorities have not released additional details regarding a possible motive.
JUSTICE FOR RICHARD WILLIAMS
Richard Williams, an 83-year-old Air Force veteran, has died after he was pushed onto subway tracks in NYC by an illegal alien.
This innocent man is dead because an illegal alien was allowed to roam free in our country. https://t.co/NQrLyT1RyM pic.twitter.com/lVKxgoKjYJ
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 26, 2026
The Lexington Avenue–63rd Street station, located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, remained open following the incident as investigators reviewed evidence and gathered witness accounts.
Williams’ death marks a tragic outcome in a case that began with what officials described as a random act of violence on a crowded subway platform. Prosecutors continue to pursue the upgraded charge as the case moves forward through the court system.
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