Judge denies bond for man accused of pushing light rail guard onto tracks

CHARLOTTE — A judge has denied bond for Tommy Martin, a man accused of attacking a light rail security guard at the Arrowood light rail station in Charlotte. Martin remains held in the Mecklenburg County Jail following new details presented in court arrest records.

According to a court affidavit, the security guard recognized Martin from a prior encounter and asked him to leave and present a transit ticket.

After Martin answered no to both requests, the guard pulled out her cellphone to photograph him. Martin allegedly pushed her onto the train tracks, causing her to strike her head.

During the attack, the guard called for emergency assistance over the radio. “On the train tracks! This man just pushed me! I’m bleeding!” the light rail security guard said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Security officer injured in violent attack at south Charlotte light rail station

According to court documents, Martin allegedly stole the security guard’s cellphone after pushing her onto the tracks, threw four rocks at her while shouting obscenities, searched through her pockets, and stomped on her legs as she attempted to fight back.

Judge Roderick Davis denied bond for Martin during his court appearance, writing in the decision that “there are no conditions that can be set that will reasonably assure the Defendant’s presence and the safety of the community.”

Walter Kimble, a security consultant and former police chief, emphasized the importance of transit security personnel following the attack.

“They’re the first line of public safety for the citizens in higher risk areas,” Kimble said.

He noted that maintaining light rail security requires addressing passenger perceptions of security alongside physical safety measures.

“It’s not enough for an area to be quote unquote, ‘be safe.’ Those that frequent and use that area, in this instance the light rail, they need to feel safe,” Kimble said.

The incident comes after the Charlotte Area Transit System increased security measures in the months following the killing of Iryna Zarutska.

The transit agency added security guards from contractor PSS and off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers were given the opportunity to sign up for patrols along light rail stops and the Rail Trail.

Data from June indicated overall crime on the Blue Line had decreased nearly 70% compared to the same period the previous year, though some riders reported remaining concerned about safety.