Father of suspect accused of pushing straphanger into incoming subway train says son started acting ‘weird’ just 3 weeks ago

On By Littum

The father of the Brooklyn thug charged with shoving a straphanger into an incoming 1 train Tuesday says his son was fine as recently as three weeks ago — but then started “acting weird.”

“Lately he’s been going through something, some mental issue,” Shamel Hawkins, 40, told The Post Wednesday as his son, Kamel Hawkins, was ordered held without bail at his arraignment on attempted-murder charges in Manhattan Criminal Court.

Kamel Hawkins faces charges of attempted murder in Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday, the first arraignment of the year. William Farrington
Kamel Hawkins seen in court. William Farrington

“We think somebody put something in his weed,” the elder Hawkins said. “About three weeks ago he was fine and then he started acting strange. We wanted to get him help but he came back.

Hawkins lived in the Whitman House public housing complex with his father and brother.

Kamel Hawkins, 23, was captured near Columbus Circle on Tuesday, just hours after police said he shot a straphanger onto Manhattan subway tracks in a horrific random attack.

According to the police, the pushing was a random attack. Obtained by NY Post

The 45-year-old victim is seen on disturbing video plunging into the path of an incoming 1 train at the 18th Street station — but miraculously survived with only head injuries.

A criminal complaint filed in the case early Wednesday said the unidentified victim suffered four broken ribs, a fractured skull and a ruptured spleen.

Law enforcement sources said the man was lucky to fall into the “trench” on the tracks under the train during the 10 a.m. attack. 1:30 p.m.

The attack took place around 1:30 p.m Paul Martinka
Hawkins has had several run-ins with the NYPD. Obtained by NY Post

Meanwhile, police charged Hawkins with attempted murder and assault.

Law enforcement sources said the accused subway man has at least three previous busts, including an assault on an NYPD trooper in Queens in June 2019 when he allegedly slapped the officer, leaving him with back injuries.

“Anyone who attacks an officer in full uniform is capable of doing much worse to defenseless civilians,” NYPD Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry told The Post on Tuesday. “Every time the justice system throws the ball at an assault on a police officer, it puts every New Yorker at risk.”

The victim was pushed into the path of a moving train. Paul Martinka

Hawkins also has an open case for assault, harassment and weapons possession in Brooklyn from October and has a previous bust in 2020, sources said.