Alleged subway pusher draws attempted murder charge

A man who police say pushed a teenage girl onto the subway tracks in front of an approaching train has now been charged with attempted murder.

George Pautt, 38, of Queens, was arrested and charged after an incident last Saturday when a 15-year-old girl was shoved onto the tracks in front of an oncoming 7 train, police reported.

Pautt is accused of approaching the girl from behind as she waited on the platform at the Roosevelt Avenue and 103rd Street station and pushing her onto the tracks.

Police said the train’s motorman engaged the emergency brake as the victim positioned herself between the platform and the wheels of the train.

She was taken to Elmhurst Hospital with only minor injuries, and the suspect fled the area, according to police. He was subsequently located and placed under arrest.

Pautt, as of Friday afternoon, was awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on the attempted murder charge, according to prosecutors. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.

“The defendant is accused of doing what subway commuters fear the most — having someone suddenly shove them onto the tracks as a train rolls into the station, Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said. “The young victim in this case managed to survive by squeezing herself between the platform and the wheels of the train. She will likely be terrorized by the memory of this senseless attack for the rest of her life. The defendant, if found guilty, must be punished for this heinous act and locked away from society for a very long time.”