In an incident sparking renewed concerns about the justice system, a 20-year-old Queens resident named Jordan Williams has been charged with manslaughter following a fatal stabbing on a Brooklyn subway. Williams maintains that he acted in self-defense during a confrontation with a violent ex-convict.
On Tuesday evening, aboard a northbound J train, 36-year-old Devictor Ouedraogo reportedly began harassing passengers, including Williams and his girlfriend. The situation escalated when Ouedraogo, who has a criminal record and hails from Bedford-Stuyvesant, punched Williams’ girlfriend in the face. A physical altercation ensued between Williams and Ouedraogo, resulting in Williams stabbing Ouedraogo twice in the chest.
Following the altercation, Ouedraogo, who had a prior conviction for attempted robbery in Queens, stumbled onto the subway platform. He was immediately taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital but was tragically pronounced dead. Notably, this is Williams’ first encounter with the law. Williams’ attorney, Jason Goldman, asserts that his client acted in defense of his girlfriend and fellow passengers, seeking to protect them from the aggressive ex-convict.
“He was defending himself and others,” Goldman explained. “It’s very clear some action was necessary and justified at that time,” said Goldman, adding that Williams should not be simply another statistic in the criminal justice system.
“It’s upsetting to see that Mr. Williams is even being charged without a thorough investigation. We already know that the victim punched his girlfriend and menaced passengers,” said Goldman. “Is Mr. Williams not getting the same treatment that Mr. Penny received — released, voluntary surrender, and low bail — because his skin color is different and he comes from a particular neighborhood?”
The incident prompted immediate comparison to a previous case involving Daniel Penny and Jordan Neely on the subway in May. Yesterday, Penny was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury for his role in the death of Neely. Neely, a homeless individual with a history of violence, tragically lost his life in a subway altercation involving a chokehold.
Following the incident, Williams and his girlfriend, whose identity remains undisclosed, were apprehended at the Chauncey Street station. While the girlfriend was initially held as a “person of interest,” she was later released. Law enforcement authorities are presently reviewing cell phone footage captured during the altercation.
The family of Jordan Williams has launched a fundraiser to raise $60,000 for his legal defense. The campaign has already raised over $26,000 in donations as of the time of this publication.
From the GiveSendGo page for Williams:
Will you help us to support my baby….
On June 13, 2023, Jordan Williams, my son, was involved in an altercation on a subway where he acted with courage to defend himself and passengers from a physically violent, reckless, and deranged individual. Jordan has been born and raised in Wayside Baptist Church, he is a high school graduate and an avid basketball player – lover of the sport! He is soft-spoken and respectful of those in his community and his elders. The heartbreak over these events have taken us by storm BUT our faith remains stronger than ever.
We come from a house and neighborhood of love and all we ask for is that same support and love in return during these times. We are blessed that a Judge has allowed my son to fight his case alongside his lawyer from the outside but there is still a ways to go in having these charges completely dismissed. The legal battle has only just begun – please help us continue to raise funds to support his thorough defense so that he can clear his name, move on, and continue on to the amazing future that he has!!!
New York City needs more heroes like Williams who are ready to intervene and put their lives at risk to assist others. It is disgusting that these brave individuals should have to worry about losing their freedom for their acts of heroism that saved lives.
Surge in Violent Incidents Plague NYC Subway System
The New York City subway system has become the backdrop for alarming incidents involving violence and criminal acts. These incidents range from stabbings and slashings to brutal assaults and robberies, causing widespread concern among commuters and highlighting the urgent need for a renewed focus on public safety.
Below are some of the incidents that Breaking Digest has reported over the past year:
A man was arrested for stripping naked and attempting to rape a woman on a moving subway train in Manhattan.
A 78-year-old man was brutally beaten on a Manhattan subway after asking people to turn down music.
A man was attacked by an assailant wielding a samurai sword at a Manhattan subway station.
A gang of females clad in head-to-toe neon-green leotards stormed a New York City subway and robbed several teenagers.
A man was fatally stabbed on a New York City subway.
A 21-year-old woman visiting New York City from St. Louis, Missouri was raped on a subway platform.
A 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed on a New York City subway platform over the summer.
A 15-year-old boy was fatally shot after a dispute escalated into violence on a New York City subway.
A mom of five was brutally attacked at a Queens subway station by a homeless maniac who had 7 prior arrests.
A 43-year-old man was fatally stabbed on the L train after a dispute.
A graduate student of NYU was pushed to her death onto the tracks at a Times Square subway station.
Twitter user @EndWokeness shared a list of recent incidents that occurred on New York City subway trains in the past few weeks.
