Fiston Ngoy allegedly raped a woman on a SEPTA train in Philadelphia. Although there were plenty of riders on the train, onlookers merely recorded the incident instead of offering to help her.
The incident happened Oct. 13 at around 11 p.m. when the woman was riding on a SEPTA Market-Frankford elevated train, and Ngoy allegedly attacked her. Onlookers saw the attack but did not call 911, reported NBC Philadelphia.
It wasn’t until a SEPTA employee noticed the attacker and alerted the police that they could apprehend the suspect.
The woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is on the mend.
Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt of the Upper Darby Police Department said the assault was captured on surveillance video. He expressed his dismay that the other riders witnessed the attack, but nobody intervened or called the authorities to help the woman.
“It’s disturbing that there were definitely people on the El, and no one did anything to intervene or help this woman,” Bernhardt said. “It speaks to where we are in society; I mean, who would allow something like that to take place? So it’s troubling.”
The train where the woman was raped ran between Upper Darby and Frankford in Lower Northeast Philadelphia.
SEPTA issued its statement urging riders who witness crimes such as what happened last Wednesday to call the police for assistance immediately.
“There were other people on the train who witnessed this horrific act, and it may have been stopped sooner if a rider called 911. SEPTA urges anyone who observes a crime being committed or any dangerous situation occurring to report it. Anyone witnessing an emergency should immediately call 911,” a spokesperson said.
Ngoy, 35, has been charged with rape, aggravated indecent assault and related counts, according to Delaware County court records. He is believed to be homeless.
