Suspect in NYC Grand Central Christmas slashing case calls out to mother in court

The man arrested after a random stabbing spree inside the Grand Central subway station in New York City on Christmas Eve that left two victims wounded cried out for his mother in court, according to a report.

During 28-year-old Jason Sargeant’s Christmas Day arraignment, the Brooklyn native noticed his mom was in the courtroom.

“Wait, mom, I didn’t know you were here,” Sargeant shouted, according to the New York Post. “I didn’t know you were here!”

“Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait,” he cried as officers pulled him out of the courtroom. 

Police in New York City have arrested a suspect in connection with the Christmas Eve slashings that left two people wounded.  (FOX 5 NYC)

Moments later, police said, Sargeant reportedly confronted the female victim and slashed her on the neck near a turnstile during a second altercation.

Emergency personnel responded and transported both victims to local hospitals.

Police said both victims were in stable condition, and they recovered a knife at the scene.

Sargeant was charged with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and several other charges including menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, harassment, and disorderly conduct. 

A Manhattan judge ordered that Sargeant be held on $150,000 bail, according to the Post. Online records show he is expected back in court on Dec. 30. 

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul touted subway safety in New York City in a recent post on X and is facing criticism over her “tone-deaf” post not long after a woman was lit on fire and burned alive, allegedly by illegal immigrant Sebastin Zapeta, 33, from Guatemala. That incident took place just days before the Grand Central slashings.

Hochul claimed that crime has decreased on NYC subways since she deployed the National Guard to mitigate the issue earlier this year, approximately eight hours after the woman’s murder. 

Hochul sent 750 National Guard members to the subways last week in an effort to keep holiday crime in check.

FOX News’ Stepheny Price contributed to this report.