Goble Assailant Declared Unfit for Trial; Union Demands Justice

SEPTEMBER 18 -- Garrett Goble's assailant, Nathaniel Avinger, was declared mentally unfit to stand trial – for now, authorities said in court Monday.

Nathaniel Avinger will remain in custody in a psychiatric facility. The case against him remains open, and the prosecution will proceed when his mental state improves, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said.

“This criminal needs to be held accountable for this heinous crime,” Local 100 President Richard Davis said. “We will keep an eye on the case, and when it returns to court, we will continue to demand justice for Garrett. A day doesn’t go by that Local 100 doesn’t mourn the loss of our union brother.”

Avinger set fire to a shopping cart on Goble’s train as it traveled in Harlem in March 2020. After the train car burst into flames, Goble, the father of two children, helped evacuate riders. He became overwhelmed by the thick smoke and died.

Local 100 has established a scholarship in his honor.