A deranged man whose attack on a woman in a Queens subway station cost the victim an eye was sentenced Monday to 22 years in prison.
Elizabeth Gomes, 33, was on her way to work on Sept. 20, 2022, when she was followed and attacked by Waheed Foster, 41, as she got off a train at the Howard Beach/JFK Airport subway station, authorities said.
The brutal assault left Gomes with severe injuries, including the loss of her right eye.
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Queens Assistant District Attorney Kanella Georgopoulos read a statement from the victim, who found it too painful to attend the sentencing.
“Being in court today would have brought back so much pain, tears and bad memories,” Gomes stated.
“The kind of pain and memories I am trying to forget even though I can’t because every time I look in the mirror, I always remember,” she continued. “I am very thankful that I am still alive and truly thankful that Mr. Foster will be locked away for some time, even though it would not get me my eyesight back.”
Prosecutors said Foster approached the victim in the station and tried to start a conversation with her, then followed her into the station’s mezzanine.
When Gomes ignored his advances, Foster dragged her across the floor and slammed her into the wall. Police said he repeatedly pounded her with his fists and kicked her in the face and body.
“The attack really changed my life, and every day is a challenge,” Gomes stated. “I have people asking me what’s wrong with my eyes. Sometimes children think I am scary. I try to overcome all the negative comments to try to be strong, especially for me and my children and other women out there.”
The vicious assault was caught on camera.
“I saw the video,” said Judge Ira Margulis. “The defendant for no reason whatsoever attacks the victim, takes out a bottle from a shopping bag and attacks her. And then when she’s on the ground, he brutally kicks her and punches her, and she loses the vision.”
Margulis highlighted Foster’s long mental health history, which includes schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Foster’s 22-year prison sentence will be followed by five years of postrelease supervision.
In March, Gov. Hochul announced a $20 million infusion of state funds to expand the MTA’s Subway Co-Response Outreach Teams initiative.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called the attack “unconscionable.”
“A 33-year-old woman was simply on her way to work when Waheed Foster, without any warning, smashed her in the head with an object, pummeled her in the head with his fists, and kicked her in the face repeatedly,” she said in a statement.
“A good Samaritan attempted to intervene during the attack but was chased by the assailant, who then resumed his vicious onslaught. It’s a miracle she’s alive today after the brutal assault she endured.”
