PHILADELPHIA, PA (Catholic Online) - The savage attack happened in the Chinatown district of Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon. A 23-year-old female victim was approached by a homeless man, now identified as suspect William Clark. The entire incident was captured by security cameras.

Clark asked her to light his cigarette. The woman, being friendly offered him a lighter, but instead of taking it, he began punching her. Once she was beaten senseless, he proceeded to drag her by her ankles to the edge of the subway platform.

The young woman said she was too weak to resist and could not escape his grasp, although she tried. She told police that she pleaded with Clark saying she had no money but he merely told her to "shut up" as he attempted to murder her.

Hefting her up with his arms he forcefully threw her down onto the subway tracks.

That act could have ended her life.

Without any apparent emotion, Clark then collected her cell phone from the bench and walked out of the station, checking behind himself to see if she recovered.

In addition to the possibility of being struck by an oncoming train, the victim could have also touched the electrified rail and been electrocuted.

Badly stunned, she managed to pull herself off the tracks after he left the station, and before a train arrived.

Police arrested William Clark two days later in connection with the attack.

Over the past few weeks, two people have been murdered in New York by being pushed onto subway tracks. In both cases, suspects have been arrested and will be tried for murder.

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