HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced this week that the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Mass Transit will handle the prosecution of a violent July 4 stabbing incident that occurred at the Berks SEPTA station in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood.
The defendant, 35-year-old Daniel Williams of Brookhaven, is accused of attacking a 66-year-old man from behind while the victim stood on a subway platform. Authorities allege that Williams approached the man with a knife in hand and stabbed him before fleeing the scene. The victim remains in critical condition.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured the moment of the assault, as well as Williams discarding the weapon while attempting to escape. Bystanders at the station directed police to Williams’ location, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Williams has been formally charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and possession of an instrument of crime. He is currently being held on $800,000 bail. A preliminary hearing initially scheduled for July 22 has been continued to August 6.
Attorney General Sunday emphasized the significance of the prosecution, noting the broader role of the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Mass Transit. “My office is committed to keeping every community of the Commonwealth safe, and that includes on mass transit vehicles and at stations that have far too often been the scenes of violent crimes like this one,” Sunday said in a public statement.
The creation of the special prosecutor position was mandated under Act 40, passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and signed into law in December 2023. The legislation authorized the Attorney General to appoint a dedicated prosecutor to investigate and bring criminal charges for offenses occurring within SEPTA’s jurisdiction.
Since its establishment, the special prosecutor’s office has assumed responsibility for approximately 40 mass transit-related cases, with a dozen currently pending in court. The initiative specifically targets crimes involving SEPTA passengers and personnel in an effort to restore public trust and improve safety across the transit system.
As with all criminal cases, it is essential to underscore that a suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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