BROOKLYN — Police have identified a suspect in the fatal fight at the Bedford Avenue subway station that ended with a man being crushed to death by an L train in front of a crowd of horrified straphangers.
Ryan Beauchamp, 33, is wanted for questioning in the incident, which left Joshua Basin, 20, of Howard Beach, dead in the fatal fracas.
The attacker tussled with Basin on the busy subway station’s platform before both men fell onto the tracks in front stunned straphangers about 10 p.m. Friday, police said.
The assailant managed to climb back onto the platform and escape, while Basin was struck by an incoming L train as traumatized passengers looked on, police said.
A witness to the fatal fight said the suspect appeared drunk at the time and was pestering riders on the Brooklyn-bound train, and "clearly looking for a fight" before turning his attention to Basin and another man.
After the train pulled into the station, the suspect allegedly pushed both men out onto the platform and began to fight with the victim, saying "it's showtime," a witness told DNAinfo.
"He approached in a posturing kind of way," a witness added. "He was very creepy, smiling and laughing."
Court records show Beauchamp was arrested on Oct. 8 by police from the Central Park precinct. The arrest was for allegedly sleeping in the park after it closed, The Village Voice reported.
Cops identified Beauchamp from a previous arrest related to the Occupy Wall Street movement, though the details of his arrest were not available, NBC New York reported. He was also reportedly arrested in Connecticut for an unknown offense.
Anyone with information in regard to the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com, or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577.
