BOSTON — MBTA Transit Police are asking the public to help identify a woman who viciously punched a 71-year-old rider in the face and then doused him with pepper spray at Prudential station earlier this month.

The attack happened around 3 p.m. on Feb. 17, according to Transit Police, who released three surveillance images of the suspect on Thursday.

ID Sought re: ABDW-Pepper Spray. 2/17 3pm #MBTA Prudential. The SP viciously punched a 71y/o male victim about his face, then sprayed him w/pepper spray. Recognize this SP of interest? Pls contact our CIU 617-222-1050 w/any info you have. You can remain anonymous. TY pic.twitter.com/OyMZgWcXln— MBTA Transit Police (@MBTATransitPD) February 26, 2026

Anyone who recognizes the woman is asked to contact the MBTA Transit Police Criminal Investigations Unit at 617-222-1050. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

The unprovoked assault on an elderly rider adds to an unrelenting wave of violence across Boston's transit system that shows no signs of letting up.

Just days ago, a 26-year-old convicted felon pulled a loaded .40-caliber Beretta on a passenger aboard an MBTA bus — the latest in a string of weapons incidents on the system.

Last week, a 14-year-old was arrested after kicking a victim into a moving train at Back Bay station, while Transit Police were simultaneously searching for a man who sucker-punched a female MBTA employee. In January, a mob of teens attacked a rider on the Orange Line, and last summer an MBTA officer was smashed in the head by a passenger at Andrew station.

The Prudential station attack remains under investigation.