
A Washington, D.C., man accused of violently throwing another passenger onto the Metro tracks will face only a misdemeanor after a grand jury declined to indict him on the felony assault charge sought by prosecutors. The incident, which sparked outrage after being captured on surveillance video, showed the suspect shoving a commuter during an altercation, narrowly missing an oncoming train. Prosecutors argued that the act constituted a clear attempt to cause serious harm, but the grand jury opted for a lesser misdemeanor offense, a decision that has fueled public debate over accountability and safety in the city’s transit system. Metro officials say they are increasing security patrols and surveillance to reassure riders, while victim advocates have criticized the outcome as too lenient given the potential for deadly consequences. The case highlights growing concerns about crime and rider safety on public transit systems nationwide, where violent confrontations have been on the rise in recent years.