Female anti-violence activist is arrested for KNIFE attack on another woman on Philadelphia train

By BETHAN SEXTON, US ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Published: 21:56, 24 July 2026 | Updated: 21:56, 24 July 2026 A Philadelphia anti-violence activist attacked a woman on a train with a box cutter following an argument, prosecutors said. Rosalind 'Roz' Pichardo is charged with seven counts including aggravated assault following the incident on July 17. Pichardo allegedly stabbed the woman after the two got into a heated argument on the platform at the 8th street station which spilled onto the train. The 48-year-old is the founder of Operation Save Our City, a non-profit which provides support to people who have experienced 'homicide grief, addiction, or secondary trauma from exposure to violence,' per its website. However, prosecutors allege that she inflicted violent injuries on the woman, including cuts to her face and chest which left her in a critical condition. She has since had to undergo surgery to regain muscle movement, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The victim told police that she and Pichardo started arguing after the woman asked a man to move up on a bench so she could sit down, according to court documents reviewed by the Inquirer. The woman reportedly said that she and Pichardo 'got smart' with one another before Pichardo allegedly made a comment about 'how rude young people are.' Anti-violence advocate Rosalind 'Roz' Pichardo is charged with seven counts including aggravated assault following a stabbing aboard a Philadelphia train Prosecutors say Pichardo stabbed a woman multiple times following an argument at a train station They then boarded the train where the squabble continued and they got in 'each other's face and started fighting each other,' according to the filing.  The victim claimed she suddenly became aware she had been stabbed when she felt warmth on her face and put her hand up to find 'a lot of blood.' Pichardo was eventually arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, possessing an instrument of a crime, reckless endangerment, harassment and disorderly conduct. She posted $22,500 of her $25,000 bail to secure her release, according to court records. Pichardo took to social media after her release to write a post which said: 'I’m good. I’m home and trusting the process. My head is up.' Pichardo is a well-known anti-violence activist who has received several taxpayer grants for her work. These include a grant for $25,000 in 2024 and one for $10,000 this year from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Pichardo is a well-known anti-violence activist who has received several grants for her work. In a post yesterday she shared images from her project Sunshine House, a community resource and harm reduction hub.  She captioned the photos: 'Today was full of love and community with my summer program.'  The Daily Mail has reached out to Pichardo for comment.