Skip to main content

Attacked transit passenger says no one helped him

By the CNN Wire Staff
Washington's Metro transit system says it has increased patrols after Sunday's attack.
Washington's Metro transit system says it has increased patrols after Sunday's attack.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Transit passenger attacked at Washington, D.C., station
  • At least two people involved in assault, he says
  • He claims no one came to his assistance
  • Video of incident was posted online

Washington (CNN) -- A transit passenger in Washington, D.C., said Friday no one came to his assistance after two young people attacked him without provocation at a busy rail station.

Allen Haywood told HLN's Prime News he was standing next to a pillar, reading at the Metro L'Enfant Plaza Station Sunday evening when someone came up from behind and struck the back of his head.

Haywood believes a boy about 12 struck him first. A girl about 15 or 16 hit him several times and others joined in, he added.

"Stop it, stop it!," Haywood, 47, of Washington, says on a grainy video that was posted by someone on YouTube.

Not one of dozens of witnesses tried to help him, said Haywood, claiming he suffered a black eye, a bloody ear, a bruised neck and a large knot on his head.

They didn't try to rob him, but the girl threw the book he was reading on the tracks, Haywood added.

Bystanders film attack, don't call 911
RELATED TOPICS

Several young people with the attackers pulled out cell cameras, recorded the incident and taunted him, doing mock interviews and offering the video for a price, Haywood told HLN.

Metro said it is asking anyone who witnessed the "unfortunate incident" to come forward. It also has adjusted its force to have more patrols at the station.

"We're treating this very seriously," said Metro spokeswoman Cathy Asato. "We are hoping anyone who saw this can give good descriptions" of the suspects.

Besides looking at the posted video, investigators are reviewing Metro's cameras in the busy transfer station, Asato said.

Haywood said he is feeling better since the incident, but still is dealing with the trauma.

"I'm OK, then I am crying, and then I am angry," he said.

The two assailants fled from the station, according to a police report. Haywood said he tried to identify some people in the group to a Metro employee, but was told to go upstairs to get out of harm's way.

Asato said the victim contacted a station manager, who immediately called police. The victim received minor injuries and declined medical treatment, Metro said in a statement.

The transit agency had 112 aggravated assaults in the first 10 months of 2010, according to Asato. There were 94 assaults in all of 2009, and 92 in 2008, she said.

Metro will "be watchful of groups of young passengers approaching other customers," its statement said.

Haywood said he encourages crime eyewitnesses to do something, even if they don't physically intervene and put themselves in danger.

"People can take pictures for evidence, not for fun, or (to) post," he said.

HLN's Lisa Sileo and CNN's Phil Gast contributed to this report.