Queens, New York — Authorities have arrested Luis Pallchisaca, 21, of Queens, in connection with the brutal, unprovoked stabbing of 25-year-old Roberto Gaspar aboard a southbound Number 7 train in Queens over the weekend. The attack, which took place around 11:20 p.m. on Saturday night, left Gaspar fighting for his life in critical condition.

Pallchisaca was arrested on Wednesday and charged with attempted murder and assault after he allegedly approached Gaspar from behind and stabbed him multiple times without any prior interaction. The suspect, captured on surveillance footage, fled the scene immediately after the attack, making his escape as the train pulled into the 111th Street station in Corona.

The Attack: Unprovoked Violence on the Subway

The incident occurred on a southbound No. 7 train, which was approaching the 111th Street station in Queens. Gaspar, a restaurant worker originally from Guatemala, had just finished a grueling 10-hour shift at a Manhattan restaurant when he boarded the train to head home.

According to the police report, Pallchisaca approached Gaspar from behind and stabbed him several times in the back with a sharp object, the exact nature of which remains unknown. The attack was unprovoked, and Gaspar did not appear to have any prior interaction with the assailant.

Witnesses on the train were shocked by the suddenness and brutality of the attack. Tomas Calel, a friend of Gaspar’s, spoke out in the days after the incident, expressing his anger over the senseless violence. “I’m angry. He didn’t do anything wrong. I believe [the attacker] is a bad guy. Why did he do that? I want them to catch this guy,” Calel told The New York Post.

Suspect Fleeing Scene

Footage of the incident, captured by a surveillance camera on the train, shows Pallchisaca wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, with the word ‘Champion’ written in white lettering, grey sweatpants, and black sneakers. In the video, Pallchisaca is seen smiling before quickly fleeing the scene, vanishing as soon as the train stopped at 111th Street.

Pallchisaca’s flight from the scene was immediate, leaving passengers and witnesses in confusion and fear. Gaspar was rushed to New York Presbyterian/Queens Hospital after the attack, where he remains in critical condition, hooked up to a ventilator as doctors fight to stabilize him.

The Victim: Roberto Gaspar

Gaspar, originally from Guatemala, had been working long hours in the restaurant industry when the attack occurred. According to friends, the stabbing took place while he was heading home after a 10-hour shift—a testament to his hard work and determination as an immigrant trying to make a living in the city.

His friend Tomas Calel has called the attack an “act of pure evil,” urging authorities to bring the perpetrator to justice. “Roberto doesn’t deserve this,” Calel said, speaking to reporters. “He’s just trying to make a living, just trying to work. This is just wrong.”

Pallchisaca’s Arrest and Pending Arraignment

After several days of investigation, Pallchisaca was arrested on Wednesday and charged with attempted murder and assault. He was taken into custody after authorities identified him from surveillance footage and tips from the public.

Pallchisaca’s arraignment is scheduled to take place at Queens Criminal Court, where he will face the charges for his role in the violent subway attack. While the motive for the stabbing is still unclear, investigators have not ruled out the possibility of it being a random, targeted attack.

No Known Motive for the Attack

As of now, no clear motive for the stabbing has been revealed. Authorities have not provided any explanation for why Pallchisaca may have attacked Gaspar, and the investigation into the suspect’s background and any potential connections to the victim is ongoing. The lack of a clear motive has left both police and the community grappling with the senselessness of the violence.

Local law enforcement is working diligently to piece together any additional details that may shed light on the reasons behind the stabbing. As the investigation continues, police have not ruled out any possible leads and are asking the public to remain vigilant.

The Growing Concern Over Subway Safety

The incident has reignited concerns about safety on New York City’s subway system, with many commuters and residents now questioning their personal security while traveling. The attack, which took place in the late evening, highlights the growing risks that straphangers face while using public transit, even during routine commutes.

Subway-related violence has seen a rise in recent years, with many incidents—such as this one—being completely unprovoked, leaving innocent people as victims of random attacks. The authorities have promised to increase patrols and visibility in high-traffic areas to help prevent such crimes from happening in the future.

Community Outcry and Public Support for Gaspar

Since the attack, the local community has rallied around Roberto Gaspar and his family, offering support and condemning the violence. GoFundMe campaigns and other charitable efforts have been launched to assist with medical bills and to show solidarity with Gaspar during his recovery. Many in the Queens area have expressed outrage at the unprovoked nature of the attack and have called for greater efforts to improve subway safety.

“I just can’t understand why someone would do something like this,” said one local resident. “It’s heartbreaking to think that a man just trying to make a living could be attacked for no reason.”