Metro Transit Police searching for person of interest in rush-hour assault on Blue Line

Transit Police are searching for a man in connection with an assault on a Blue Line train. (Photos provided by WMATA)

A man riding the Blue Line on Friday morning was allegedly punched in the face after he sat down next to a younger man who had refused to scoot over, Metro said Sunday.

Metro Transit Police are searching for a person of interest in the assault.

The passenger had boarded a Franconia-bound Blue Line train before 8:45 a.m. when he approached the alleged assailant, who had been blocking the aisle, Metro said.

According to a police report, the victim approached the seated passenger and said “excuse me.” When the younger man refused to move over, the older passenger slid in past him and sat down. At Metro Center about 8:45, the attacker stood up and told the man “you could have said excuse me before sitting,” then punched him in the face.

The assailant fled as the doors closed, according to the police report.

Todd Post, 42, of Arlington, said he was aboard the train and witnessed the assault, which he called “brutal.” Post said he held the doors open at Metro Center, shouting “Police! Police!” but the attacker walked off. The doors closed and the victim, whom he described as an “older gentleman” was left dazed, but coherent, as the train proceeded to McPherson Square.

Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said police took witness statements at Metro Center and began searching trains and stations, but were unable to find the alleged assailant.

At McPherson Square, Post said, a Metro employee popped his head in the door asking if the victim wanted to be taken to a hospital. The victim opted instead to travel with a fellow passenger who had offered to help. Metro said the victim filed a report at Foggy Bottom.

Stessel said the man was treated and released from the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.