CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A fight on a train led to two people suffering injuries and arrests on Thursday.
Two passengers on the CATS LYNX Blue Line got into an argument on Thursday, according to CATS.
During the argument, a passenger pulled the emergency stop handle. When the train stopped, its doors opened and the two passengers began fighting outside of the train on the tracks.
Medic was called to respond and transported one person for injuries around 5 p.m. on Thursday. The fight happened near the CATS LYNX light rail facility, which is not far from the New Bern Station in South End.
Medic reported the incident as a stabbing. Both people involved in the fight suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
The fight is the latest incident that has some CATS riders on edge. On May 4th, CATS reported a fight on board the Gold Line led to a passenger getting stabbed. Then on May 18th, an argument between a passenger and a CATS bus driver led to a shootout while other riders were on board.
It’s unclear what started the argument on the Blue Line or if the people that fought knew each other.
Multiple riders told WCNC Charlotte they overall feel safe when taking public transit in Charlotte but hope security measures are tightened up.
"I think if you have people checking tickets that probably keeps more people off the trains that don’t need to be on the trains," rider Eli Grossman suggested.
Police have identified both people involved in the fight and are preparing appropriate charges. The incident remains under investigation.
CATS Interim CEO Brent Cagle has previously said the transit agency is stepping up de-escalation training for its employees. Plus, new third-party contractors are taking over CATS security in July, and the agency is doubling its security budget.
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