As Kamel Hawkins’ shocking subway attack leaves one man in peril, his father reveals a tragic backstory of mental health struggles and missed opportunities for help.
In a troubling and horrifying incident that rocked the New York City subway system, 23-year-old Kamel Hawkins allegedly pushed a 45-year-old man onto the tracks at the 18th Street station. The victim miraculously survived, but the attack has left questions swirling around Hawkins’ mental state and the deepening crisis of untreated mental health issues in society.
Now, as Hawkins faces charges of attempted murder and assault, his father, Shamel Hawkins, has spoken out, shedding light on the disturbing changes in his son’s behavior in the weeks leading up to the attack.
"He Was Fine, Then Something Changed"
In an interview with the New York Post, Shamel Hawkins described his son as someone who had been “fine” just three weeks before the violent incident. However, something shifted, and Hawkins began “acting weird,” a change his father attributed to potential substance abuse. “We think somebody put something in his weed,” Shamel claimed, pointing to a possible trigger for his son’s erratic behavior. Despite their concerns, the father explained that Kamel refused help, leaving the family feeling helpless.
The statement raises a critical question: Why do so many individuals, struggling with mental health crises, slip through the cracks of the system until it’s too late?
A Crisis Ignored: The Overlooked Struggles of Young Adults
Kamel Hawkins’ behavior was far from an isolated case. Over recent years, New York, like much of the United States, has seen a rising tide of untreated mental health disorders, especially among young adults. The tragic reality is that many individuals like Hawkins do not receive the timely help they need. His father’s admission that Kamel “refused” help suggests a common, yet deeply concerning, issue: the reluctance to seek treatment coupled with a systemic failure to intervene early.
What could have been done differently? Was there a missed opportunity for early intervention? Should mental health professionals have been more proactive in addressing his condition before it spiraled out of control?
The Danger of Unchecked Violence: A Pattern of Aggression
Kamel Hawkins’ troubling history of violence further underscores the gravity of the situation. According to reports, he has been involved in several previous incidents, including an assault on an NYPD officer in June 2019, where he allegedly body-slammed the cop, resulting in back injuries. His violent tendencies were already evident, yet the justice system seemed to fall short in addressing his issues before they escalated into a horrific subway attack.
Patrick Hendry, president of the NYPD Police Benevolent Association, expressed his concern over the systemic failures that allowed Hawkins to remain at large, saying, “Every time the justice system drops the ball on an assault on a police officer, it puts every New Yorker in danger.” Hawkins’ repeated violent outbursts highlight the risks of ignoring early signs of aggression, especially when tied to untreated mental health issues.
Mental Health and Public Safety: A Growing Concern
Kamel Hawkins' case shines a spotlight on the growing mental health crisis facing urban areas like New York. With incidents of public violence increasingly linked to untreated mental health disorders, it begs the question: Can society continue to ignore the deep-rooted issues affecting so many individuals?
While mental health services continue to be underfunded and overburdened, the impact on public safety cannot be ignored. Hawkins’ father may be right when he says, “He needs help. He needs mental help,” but the real question remains: where is the system to provide that help before tragedy strikes?
Conclusion: Time for Change
The devastating attack on the New York subway is a stark reminder of the complex relationship between mental health, substance abuse, and public safety. Kamel Hawkins’ story, tragically, is not an isolated one. His case underscores the urgent need for systemic change—more accessible mental health care, better intervention strategies, and more supportive systems for families struggling to help loved ones in crisis.
Until these issues are addressed, incidents like this will continue to highlight the deep flaws in how society approaches mental illness and public safety. The Hawkins family’s pain, and the victim's near-death experience, should not be in vain. It's time for a conversation about the real solutions that can prevent these senseless acts from happening again.