MANHATTAN — An MTA conductor was assaulted by an off-duty NYPD officer aboard a downtown J train in the Delancey Street-Essex Street station Wednesday morning, sparking panic among morning commuters, police said.
The conductor was exiting her cab when her door smacked off-duty officer Tremel Davis, 33, as the train was pulling out of the station about 9:13 a.m., the NYPD said.
The two start arguing and the conductor pulled the emergency brake, according to sources and MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz.
Then the officer knocked the conductor to the ground, causing her to injure her arm, sources said.
She was treated for a minor injury at Beth Israel hospital, an FDNY spokeswoman said.
A second person was also treated for minor injuries there, the spokesman said. It wasn't immediately clear how they were connected to the incident.
Davis was taken into custody at 9:40 a.m. and charged with one count of assault, police said.
The incident sparked pandemonium on crowded subway cars stuck in the station.
Something just happened on the J train. Someone yelled run and all hell broke loose. pic.twitter.com/qvFzb1z986
— wbernard (@wbernard) September 14, 2016
There were "extensive delays" affecting both the J and M lines afterwards, according to the MTA's website.
#ServiceAlert: Broad St bound J & Forest Hills bound M trains terminate at Myrtle Av or Marcy Av, due to NYPD activity at Essex St.
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) September 14, 2016
Riders complained about overcrowding and severe delays on social media.
When ppl block train doors and we are all evacuated = 30min train delays #mta #subway #likechina pic.twitter.com/YLgDbBrq8c
— Natasha Fong (@Natasha_fong) September 14, 2016
Both J and M trains were disrupted earlier in the morning by a train with mechanical problems at Marcy Avenue, officials said.
#ServiceAlert: Jamaica bound J & Metropolitan Av bound M terminate at Myrtle Av, due to a train with mechanical problems at Marcy Av.
— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) September 14, 2016