The father of the man accused of pushing a commuter onto subway tracks in Manhattan says his son’s behavior changed drastically over the past few weeks.
Shamel Hawkins, 40, told The Post that his son, Kamel Hawkins, 23, was fine just a few weeks ago but started acting strangely after that.
“Lately, he’s been going through something, some mental issue,” the elder Hawkins said on Wednesday after his son was arraigned on attempted murder charges in Manhattan Criminal Court.
“We think somebody put something in his weed,” Shamel Hawkins added, explaining that the situation worsened about three weeks ago.
“He started acting weird, and we wanted to get him help, but he refused.” Kamel Hawkins, who had been living with his father and brother in the Whitman Houses public housing complex, eventually moved to a shelter.
Kamel Hawkins was arrested on Tuesday, just hours after he allegedly pushed a 45-year-old man onto the tracks of the 1 train at the 18th Street subway station in Manhattan.
The victim, who was identified only as a 45-year-old male, miraculously survived the attack, despite suffering head injuries and multiple broken bones.
Surveillance footage of the horrifying incident shows the victim falling directly into the path of the incoming train. The man was lucky to fall into a trench below the train, which may have saved his life.
The criminal complaint filed on Wednesday revealed that the victim suffered four broken ribs, a fractured skull, and a ruptured spleen.
Authorities charged Kamel Hawkins with attempted murder and assault. At his court appearance, he was ordered held without bail.
Shamel Hawkins expressed shock over his son’s alleged actions, saying that he didn’t know Kamel had been involved in the subway attack.
The elder Hawkins said he had last seen his son during the holiday season. “We saw him here [on] Christmas,” he recalled. “I just saw him on Christmas. I can’t believe this.”
Hawkins’ father stressed that his son needed mental health help, but that he couldn’t force him to accept it.
“We love him, but we can’t help him if he refuses the help we tried to get him,” he said. “He needs help. He needs mental help.”
Law enforcement sources revealed that Kamel Hawkins has a criminal history, including at least three prior arrests. In June 2019, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting an NYPD officer in Queens.
The officer suffered back injuries after being body-slammed by Hawkins. The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) criticized the justice system, noting that allowing someone who attacks a police officer to remain free could endanger others.
PBA president Patrick Hendry told The Post, “Anyone who attacks a cop in full uniform is capable of doing far worse to defenseless civilians.”
In addition to his 2019 arrest, Hawkins is currently facing charges for assault, harassment, and weapons possession in Brooklyn.
In that case, prosecutors requested bail, but Hawkins was instead referred to a court intervention program aimed at offering alternatives to incarceration.
This program, called “Problem-Solving Courts,” is designed to help people address underlying issues, such as mental health or addiction, instead of sending them to jail.
While the details of Hawkins’ mental health remain unclear, it’s evident that his father believes his son is in urgent need of treatment. “We tried everything we could,” Shamel Hawkins said.
“But if he doesn’t want help, what can we do?” The attack on the subway has left the victim recovering in a hospital, while Kamel Hawkins remains in police custody, facing serious charges.
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Archer Bannister is a journalist with 4 years of experience covering hard-hitting stories. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Archer specializes in delivering timely and in-depth updates on a variety of topics, including crime news, politics, and national issues affecting the USA. His expertise and dedication to delivering accurate, impactful news make him a trusted voice for audiences seeking to stay informed on critical topics.
