Sexual assault on a US train… “I was just looking at the passengers”

Police “No one intervenes, no action is taken… The current state of our society, it’s a painful thing”

[아시아경제 김서현 기자] It is shocking that a sexual assault occurred on a train in the United States, but other passengers stood by without stopping anyone.

According to the New York Post on the 16th (local time), Piston Ngoi (35), who is believed to be homeless, raped a woman in front of other passengers on the 13th on the Market-Frankford route among commuter trains in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Upper Davies Police Department Inspector General Timery Bernhardt said that they were dispatched to the scene at around 10 p.m. on the same day after receiving a report from a SEPTA employee saying, “Something strange seems to have happened to the woman on the train.”

While waiting for the train at the next stop, the police found the victim and arrested Ngoi. The victim was transported to the hospital. Ngoi was found to have committed the crime after approaching the woman while talking to her.

According to Inspector Bernhard, surveillance cameras on the train at the time captured footage of the crime as well as passengers ignoring it. “There were definitely passengers on the train, but it was shocking that no one intervened and took no action to help this woman,” he said. “This incident speaks to the current state of our society. I mean, who’s going to let this happen? It’s painful,” he added.

SEPTA also described the incident as “a horrific act” in a statement, saying, “If the people who witnessed it had reported it, it could have been stopped sooner.” He also urged that “anyone who witnesses a crime or dangerous situation report immediately.”

Police said they are currently looking for witnesses to the incident. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

According to Delaware County court records, Piston Ngoi was charged with rape and assault.

Reporter Seohyun Kim ssn3592@asiae.co.kr