Orthodox Jewish passengers were violently assaulted and threatened on a crowded New York City subway train after being deliberately targeted by a group of attackers, according to a firsthand account.

The witness said the attackers began verbally harassing the victims at the station, then boarded the train with them and escalated the violence once onboard. The assailants allegedly choked and beat the victims and issued death threats as the train continued along its route.

“It happened about an hour ago on the 3 line,” the witness said. “We transferred from the 4 to the 3 at Franklin Station. They were already there, started cursing, got on the train with us, and followed us toward Kingston. We got off one stop early.”

The incident reportedly occurred in full view of a packed subway car, with Orthodox Jewish passengers singled out, physically attacked, and threatened, while other riders looked on.