Six people, including the suspect, were taken to the hospital after a stabbing incident at New York City's Penn Station on Sunday evening, according to Amtrak Police.

Of the five people stabbed, the oldest is around 60 and one suffered serious injuries, police sources said.

The attack happened at around 7 p.m. Amtrak Police immediately launched a manhunt and the suspect, identified as 51-year-old Hector De Leon, was quickly taken into custody, the rail operator said in a statement.

Witnesses say multiple Amtrak Police officers stunned and tackled the suspect shortly after he allegedly went on the rampage. Video shows officers covering his head in the NJ Transit area and taking him away in a wheelchair.

A law enforcement source close to the investigation told CBS News that preliminary reports suggest it was a random act of violence.

Police sources said a knife was recovered from the scene.

Police asked the public to avoid the area as there were expected to be traffic delays, road closures, and mass transit disruptions.

"He came at me for no reason"
Victim Henry Obadiah, who was slashed across the right side of his face and lip, requiring a few stitches, told CBS News New York's Lisa Rozner, "I'm lucky to be alive," adding he had just returned to Penn Station on NJ Transit when he saw the suspect push someone.

"And then he looks at me with this rage in his face and then he just came with a round house ... like that. Whoever was in his path ... he didn't know me for nothing. I was just walking by and he came at me for no reason," Obadiah said.

The 60-year-old described the harrowing scene.

"There was blood all over the place. One kid has a bandage on his head, sitting down, blood coming out. Cops are running in all these directions," Obadiah said.

What we know about the suspect
Amtrak Police said the suspect entered the station right before the attack and was not previously known to them, but law enforcement sources say he is believed to be homeless and emotionally disturbed, but with no terror links.

"He was just screaming, waving his head around," witness Michael Christian said. "I've seen him once, but I didn't think he was capable of doing anything."

Police sources said the suspect had one prior drug arrest in New Jersey.

Mayor Mamdani reacts
Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement Sunday night, saying, "The alleged perpetrator is in custody following a swift response from the Amtrak Police Department. My heart is with everyone who was injured, their loved ones, and all those shaken by this unacceptable violence. I'm wishing each of the victims a full and speedy recovery.

"I'm grateful to the Amtrak Police Department and the first responders who acted quickly to apprehend the suspect and provide emergency care. There are currently no impacts to Amtrak service. My administration is in contact with Amtrak officials as they investigate this incident."

"Just keep your eyes open"
The attack left riders on edge on Monday.

"You have to be cautious. Just keep your eyes open," one said.

"Sometimes you'll come here and this whole entire section will be like jam-packed," said NJ Transit passenger Max Robinson, of Trenton. "But when you're here during the late-night hours, you gotta worry about what you have on you."

"It's really sad and I hope everyone's okay and going to make it through this," one person said.

"It's definitely really scary to hear about, especially as we are coming to Penn Station today," a Manhattan resident added.

Source