Man Arrested, Charged With Murder in March 27, 2020 Subway Arson
110th Street Station - Central Park North (2)(3), Harlem, Manhattan
Published · Updated
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Summary
- NYPD detectives arrested and charged a 50-year-old man in the arson aboard an MTA train in Harlem that caused the death of a motorman and injured at least 16 others on March 27, 2020.
- Police have charged 50-year-old Nathaniel Avinger with Murder in the death of 36-year-old Garrett Goble, a six-year MTA employee and father of two.
- Police announced Avinger was arrested by Transit officers for forcible touching at about 12:55 a.m. on Friday. The officers who arrested him were from Transit District 32, based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The statement said that detectives investigated further and placed Avinger under arrest for the deadly March fire.
- Avinger had been a person of interest in the fire and questioned by authorities days after the incident, but he was released without charges.
- The blaze broke out inside a shopping cart on the No. 2 train in the 3 a.m. hour before it entered 110 St-Central Park North Station. One hundred firefighters were needed to bring the two-alarm fire under control.
- Goble was found lying unconscious on the tracks and pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital. He was later hailed as a hero for helping to evacuate passengers off the train and onto the platform.
- At least 16 other people were injured, including four with serious injuries and five firefighters.
- Police determined the fire was arson and identified Avinger as the suspect from surveillance video. He was reportedly charged with starting a separate fire in front of the Columbia University Computer Music Center on 125th Street on March 11.
- The interim president of the NYC Transit Authority and president of the local transit workers union hailed Avinger’s arrest.
- “The New York City Transit Authority has grieved and mourned Garrett Goble every single day for the last 9 months. Nothing will bring Garrett back to NYCT or to his sweet family. We are grateful to the police for their relentless persistence and hard work on this case,” NYCT Interim President Sarah Feinberg said in a statement Friday.
- A statement by Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Tony Utano also called the arrest a “huge first step” toward justice for Goble’s family.
- Immediately after the fire, a Citizen user shared their thanks toward firefighters and first responders for coming to their aid. The video appears above.
Timeline
Additional units are no longer needed on scene.
FRIDAY, 3:18 AM: Firefighters responded to a fire aboard a northbound 2 train between 96 St and Central Park North–110th Street stations. Multiple Citizen user videos showed heavy smoke billowing from the street on Lenox Ave near 110th Street. Firefighters upgraded the fire to two alarms, with 25 fire units and more than 100 personnel responding, and the fire was brought under control at 3:50 a.m., according to an FDNY source. A 36-year-old man, later identified as MTA train operator Garrett Goble, was pronounced deceased at Mount Sinai Hospital. According to a statement by TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano, Goble "acted heroically to move passengers to the platform out of danger, and deserves our deepest thanks and support for his bravery.” Sixteen others were injured in the blaze, including three civilians who suffered critical but non-life-threatening injuries, and five firefighters. Police say that no arrests have been made. It’s unclear who or what ignited the fire, pending an investigation by a fire marshal.
Police are responding to the station for crowd control.
Seventeen patients in total have been accounted for. Four civilians are in critical condition and a fifth sustained serious injuries. Seven others have minor injuries. Five firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The fire is now under control.
Firefighters report that the danger to civilians and emergency response personnel in the subway is now low.
An updated report has clarified that an additional six civilians and one firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Three firefighters have been injured; one was transported to a hospital and two sustained minor injuries.
An updated report has clarified that four injured civilians are in critical condition and one other has sustained serious injuries.
One firefighter has reportedly been injured and is being transported from the scene to receive medical attention.
An additional fire truck has been called to the scene.
One person with serious injuries is being evaluated on scene, and a fifth person has sustained minor injuries.
Three of the injured have sustained critical injuries and are being transported to a hospital.
An updated report has clarified that multiple injuries have been confirmed.
Firefighters and EMS teams have recovered at least two people injured as a result of the fire.
The address reported for this incident has changed to 110th Street Station - Central Park North (2)(3).
Firefighters have upgraded the fire to two alarms and continue to fight the blaze.
Technicians are shutting down power between the 110th St and 116th St stations in both directions on the 2/3 line.
There is reportedly a small fire on the southbound track of the 2/3 line between 110th St and 116th St.
After a minor technical error, Citizen has edited the address for this incident to a more accurate location.
The address reported for this incident has changed to West 110th Street & Lenox Avenue.
The address reported for this incident has changed to Malcolm X Blvd & W 110th St.
The smoke may be related to a nearby subway-station fire.
Firefighters are responding to a report of smoke in an apartment building.
Incident reported at 71 Lenox Ave.
Additional units are no longer needed on scene.
FRIDAY, 3:18 AM: Firefighters responded to a fire aboard a northbound 2 train between 96 St and Central Park North–110th Street stations. Multiple Citizen user videos showed heavy smoke billowing from the street on Lenox Ave near 110th Street. Firefighters upgraded the fire to two alarms, with 25 fire units and more than 100 personnel responding, and the fire was brought under control at 3:50 a.m., according to an FDNY source. A 36-year-old man, later identified as MTA train operator Garrett Goble, was pronounced deceased at Mount Sinai Hospital. According to a statement by TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano, Goble "acted heroically to move passengers to the platform out of danger, and deserves our deepest thanks and support for his bravery.” Sixteen others were injured in the blaze, including three civilians who suffered critical but non-life-threatening injuries, and five firefighters. Police say that no arrests have been made. It’s unclear who or what ignited the fire, pending an investigation by a fire marshal.
Police are responding to the station for crowd control.
Seventeen patients in total have been accounted for. Four civilians are in critical condition and a fifth sustained serious injuries. Seven others have minor injuries. Five firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The fire is now under control.
Firefighters report that the danger to civilians and emergency response personnel in the subway is now low.
An updated report has clarified that an additional six civilians and one firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Three firefighters have been injured; one was transported to a hospital and two sustained minor injuries.
An updated report has clarified that four injured civilians are in critical condition and one other has sustained serious injuries.
One firefighter has reportedly been injured and is being transported from the scene to receive medical attention.
An additional fire truck has been called to the scene.
One person with serious injuries is being evaluated on scene, and a fifth person has sustained minor injuries.
Three of the injured have sustained critical injuries and are being transported to a hospital.
An updated report has clarified that multiple injuries have been confirmed.
Firefighters and EMS teams have recovered at least two people injured as a result of the fire.
The address reported for this incident has changed to 110th Street Station - Central Park North (2)(3).
Firefighters have upgraded the fire to two alarms and continue to fight the blaze.
Technicians are shutting down power between the 110th St and 116th St stations in both directions on the 2/3 line.
There is reportedly a small fire on the southbound track of the 2/3 line between 110th St and 116th St.
After a minor technical error, Citizen has edited the address for this incident to a more accurate location.
The address reported for this incident has changed to West 110th Street & Lenox Avenue.
The address reported for this incident has changed to Malcolm X Blvd & W 110th St.
The smoke may be related to a nearby subway-station fire.
Firefighters are responding to a report of smoke in an apartment building.
Incident reported at 71 Lenox Ave.
Additional units are no longer needed on scene.
FRIDAY, 3:18 AM: Firefighters responded to a fire aboard a northbound 2 train between 96 St and Central Park North–110th Street stations. Multiple Citizen user videos showed heavy smoke billowing from the street on Lenox Ave near 110th Street. Firefighters upgraded the fire to two alarms, with 25 fire units and more than 100 personnel responding, and the fire was brought under control at 3:50 a.m., according to an FDNY source. A 36-year-old man, later identified as MTA train operator Garrett Goble, was pronounced deceased at Mount Sinai Hospital. According to a statement by TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano, Goble "acted heroically to move passengers to the platform out of danger, and deserves our deepest thanks and support for his bravery.” Sixteen others were injured in the blaze, including three civilians who suffered critical but non-life-threatening injuries, and five firefighters. Police say that no arrests have been made. It’s unclear who or what ignited the fire, pending an investigation by a fire marshal.
Police are responding to the station for crowd control.
Seventeen patients in total have been accounted for. Four civilians are in critical condition and a fifth sustained serious injuries. Seven others have minor injuries. Five firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The fire is now under control.
Firefighters report that the danger to civilians and emergency response personnel in the subway is now low.
An updated report has clarified that an additional six civilians and one firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Three firefighters have been injured; one was transported to a hospital and two sustained minor injuries.
An updated report has clarified that four injured civilians are in critical condition and one other has sustained serious injuries.
One firefighter has reportedly been injured and is being transported from the scene to receive medical attention.
An additional fire truck has been called to the scene.
One person with serious injuries is being evaluated on scene, and a fifth person has sustained minor injuries.
Three of the injured have sustained critical injuries and are being transported to a hospital.
An updated report has clarified that multiple injuries have been confirmed.
Firefighters and EMS teams have recovered at least two people injured as a result of the fire.
The address reported for this incident has changed to 110th Street Station - Central Park North (2)(3).
Firefighters have upgraded the fire to two alarms and continue to fight the blaze.
Technicians are shutting down power between the 110th St and 116th St stations in both directions on the 2/3 line.
There is reportedly a small fire on the southbound track of the 2/3 line between 110th St and 116th St.
After a minor technical error, Citizen has edited the address for this incident to a more accurate location.
The address reported for this incident has changed to West 110th Street & Lenox Avenue.
The address reported for this incident has changed to Malcolm X Blvd & W 110th St.
The smoke may be related to a nearby subway-station fire.
Firefighters are responding to a report of smoke in an apartment building.
Incident reported at 71 Lenox Ave.
Additional units are no longer needed on scene.
FRIDAY, 3:18 AM: Firefighters responded to a fire aboard a northbound 2 train between 96 St and Central Park North–110th Street stations. Multiple Citizen user videos showed heavy smoke billowing from the street on Lenox Ave near 110th Street. Firefighters upgraded the fire to two alarms, with 25 fire units and more than 100 personnel responding, and the fire was brought under control at 3:50 a.m., according to an FDNY source. A 36-year-old man, later identified as MTA train operator Garrett Goble, was pronounced deceased at Mount Sinai Hospital. According to a statement by TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano, Goble "acted heroically to move passengers to the platform out of danger, and deserves our deepest thanks and support for his bravery.” Sixteen others were injured in the blaze, including three civilians who suffered critical but non-life-threatening injuries, and five firefighters. Police say that no arrests have been made. It’s unclear who or what ignited the fire, pending an investigation by a fire marshal.
Police are responding to the station for crowd control.
Seventeen patients in total have been accounted for. Four civilians are in critical condition and a fifth sustained serious injuries. Seven others have minor injuries. Five firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The fire is now under control.
Firefighters report that the danger to civilians and emergency response personnel in the subway is now low.
An updated report has clarified that an additional six civilians and one firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Three firefighters have been injured; one was transported to a hospital and two sustained minor injuries.
An updated report has clarified that four injured civilians are in critical condition and one other has sustained serious injuries.
One firefighter has reportedly been injured and is being transported from the scene to receive medical attention.
An additional fire truck has been called to the scene.
One person with serious injuries is being evaluated on scene, and a fifth person has sustained minor injuries.
Three of the injured have sustained critical injuries and are being transported to a hospital.
An updated report has clarified that multiple injuries have been confirmed.
Firefighters and EMS teams have recovered at least two people injured as a result of the fire.
The address reported for this incident has changed to 110th Street Station - Central Park North (2)(3).
Firefighters have upgraded the fire to two alarms and continue to fight the blaze.
Technicians are shutting down power between the 110th St and 116th St stations in both directions on the 2/3 line.
There is reportedly a small fire on the southbound track of the 2/3 line between 110th St and 116th St.
After a minor technical error, Citizen has edited the address for this incident to a more accurate location.
The address reported for this incident has changed to West 110th Street & Lenox Avenue.
The address reported for this incident has changed to Malcolm X Blvd & W 110th St.
The smoke may be related to a nearby subway-station fire.
Firefighters are responding to a report of smoke in an apartment building.
Incident reported at 71 Lenox Ave.
Additional units are no longer needed on scene.
FRIDAY, 3:18 AM: Firefighters responded to a fire aboard a northbound 2 train between 96 St and Central Park North–110th Street stations. Multiple Citizen user videos showed heavy smoke billowing from the street on Lenox Ave near 110th Street. Firefighters upgraded the fire to two alarms, with 25 fire units and more than 100 personnel responding, and the fire was brought under control at 3:50 a.m., according to an FDNY source. A 36-year-old man, later identified as MTA train operator Garrett Goble, was pronounced deceased at Mount Sinai Hospital. According to a statement by TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano, Goble "acted heroically to move passengers to the platform out of danger, and deserves our deepest thanks and support for his bravery.” Sixteen others were injured in the blaze, including three civilians who suffered critical but non-life-threatening injuries, and five firefighters. Police say that no arrests have been made. It’s unclear who or what ignited the fire, pending an investigation by a fire marshal.
Police are responding to the station for crowd control.
Seventeen patients in total have been accounted for. Four civilians are in critical condition and a fifth sustained serious injuries. Seven others have minor injuries. Five firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The fire is now under control.
Firefighters report that the danger to civilians and emergency response personnel in the subway is now low.
An updated report has clarified that an additional six civilians and one firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Three firefighters have been injured; one was transported to a hospital and two sustained minor injuries.
An updated report has clarified that four injured civilians are in critical condition and one other has sustained serious injuries.
One firefighter has reportedly been injured and is being transported from the scene to receive medical attention.
An additional fire truck has been called to the scene.
One person with serious injuries is being evaluated on scene, and a fifth person has sustained minor injuries.
Three of the injured have sustained critical injuries and are being transported to a hospital.
An updated report has clarified that multiple injuries have been confirmed.
Firefighters and EMS teams have recovered at least two people injured as a result of the fire.
The address reported for this incident has changed to 110th Street Station - Central Park North (2)(3).
Firefighters have upgraded the fire to two alarms and continue to fight the blaze.
Technicians are shutting down power between the 110th St and 116th St stations in both directions on the 2/3 line.
There is reportedly a small fire on the southbound track of the 2/3 line between 110th St and 116th St.
After a minor technical error, Citizen has edited the address for this incident to a more accurate location.
The address reported for this incident has changed to West 110th Street & Lenox Avenue.
The address reported for this incident has changed to Malcolm X Blvd & W 110th St.
The smoke may be related to a nearby subway-station fire.
Firefighters are responding to a report of smoke in an apartment building.
Incident reported at 71 Lenox Ave.
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RIP the conductor who died. My condolences
Back in the 90’s a token booth clerk was killed in an arson attack. I went to school with the victim’s son. Hope you’re well wherever you are, bro. RIP to your pops.
@HOEVID19 I remember that too. POst traumatic for my whole life every time i take subway.
The old bastard responsible for starting deadly fires is also a sexual predator? Huge surprise. Dude was well on his way to full blown murder. That’s called escalation, friends.
@HotMeltingFace wow looks that way. Thank God good work guys lunatic off the streets a billion to go
It was actually the mta Comductor who saved everybody to safety
@PatriotRail1776 He was a good dude! Appreciate love for tranist employees ppl don’t see the bs we deal with daily
RIP the conductor who died. My condolences
Back in the 90’s a token booth clerk was killed in an arson attack. I went to school with the victim’s son. Hope you’re well wherever you are, bro. RIP to your pops.
@HOEVID19 I remember that too. POst traumatic for my whole life every time i take subway.
The old bastard responsible for starting deadly fires is also a sexual predator? Huge surprise. Dude was well on his way to full blown murder. That’s called escalation, friends.
@HotMeltingFace wow looks that way. Thank God good work guys lunatic off the streets a billion to go
It was actually the mta Comductor who saved everybody to safety
@PatriotRail1776 He was a good dude! Appreciate love for tranist employees ppl don’t see the bs we deal with daily
RIP the conductor who died. My condolences
Back in the 90’s a token booth clerk was killed in an arson attack. I went to school with the victim’s son. Hope you’re well wherever you are, bro. RIP to your pops.
@HOEVID19 I remember that too. POst traumatic for my whole life every time i take subway.
The old bastard responsible for starting deadly fires is also a sexual predator? Huge surprise. Dude was well on his way to full blown murder. That’s called escalation, friends.
@HotMeltingFace wow looks that way. Thank God good work guys lunatic off the streets a billion to go
It was actually the mta Comductor who saved everybody to safety
@PatriotRail1776 He was a good dude! Appreciate love for tranist employees ppl don’t see the bs we deal with daily
RIP the conductor who died. My condolences
Back in the 90’s a token booth clerk was killed in an arson attack. I went to school with the victim’s son. Hope you’re well wherever you are, bro. RIP to your pops.
@HOEVID19 I remember that too. POst traumatic for my whole life every time i take subway.
The old bastard responsible for starting deadly fires is also a sexual predator? Huge surprise. Dude was well on his way to full blown murder. That’s called escalation, friends.
@HotMeltingFace wow looks that way. Thank God good work guys lunatic off the streets a billion to go
It was actually the mta Comductor who saved everybody to safety
@PatriotRail1776 He was a good dude! Appreciate love for tranist employees ppl don’t see the bs we deal with daily
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RIP the conductor who died. My condolences
Back in the 90’s a token booth clerk was killed in an arson attack. I went to school with the victim’s son. Hope you’re well wherever you are, bro. RIP to your pops.
@HOEVID19 I remember that too. POst traumatic for my whole life every time i take subway.
The old bastard responsible for starting deadly fires is also a sexual predator? Huge surprise. Dude was well on his way to full blown murder. That’s called escalation, friends.
@HotMeltingFace wow looks that way. Thank God good work guys lunatic off the streets a billion to go
It was actually the mta Comductor who saved everybody to safety
@PatriotRail1776 He was a good dude! Appreciate love for tranist employees ppl don’t see the bs we deal with daily