A former TikTok executive is suing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) following a brutal subway attack that left him with severe injuries. The incident occurred on May 10, 2023, as Gideon Moncrieffe was commuting on a southbound C train in Brooklyn.
Moncrieffe says he stepped in to defuse an argument between Sean Lewis, a man with a history of violent offenses and an intoxicated passenger. Despite initially thanking Moncrieffe for his advice, Lewis suddenly slashed him in the face with a sharp object, leaving an eight-inch wound that required over 100 stitches.
The lawsuit accuses the MTA of systemic negligence, alleging the train conductor locked the doors during the altercation, leaving Moncrieffe trapped with his attacker. According to the filing, the incident was the “foreseeable result” of the MTA’s failure to enforce safety protocols, respond to emergencies and protect passengers.
Lewis, who pleaded guilty to the assault in August, had nine previous arrests for violent acts, including choking and threatening his girlfriend and attacking workers at a homeless shelter. The MTA disputes claims that Lewis had been banned from the subway system before the attack, with a spokesperson stating there was no active prohibition in place at the time.
Moncrieffe, who was TikTok’s head of global event production when the attack happened, says the trauma from the incident has left him with PTSD, depression and flashbacks. He also claims the assault caused his engagement to fall apart and shattered his future plans with his fiancée.
The lawsuit seeks damages and calls for significant safety reforms, including stricter enforcement of prohibited rider policies, increased security personnel and improved emergency responses. Moncrieffe hopes his case will compel the MTA to prioritize passenger safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.
