In Philly. This is nasty:

Without uttering a word, police said, the unidentified man whipped out a double-claw hammer and began bludgeoning a 20-year-old man who was dozing off in his seat.

For five long minutes, SEPTA surveillance cameras captured the deranged attacker - who was still on the loose late last night- digging his hammer into the man’s head and neck.

The 20-something was relaxing on the ride, listening to his iPod after a work day. And then, whammo. Five minutes of whammo. Public transportation is not safe. I rode NYC subways nearly every day for two straight weeks and saw some crazy shit on those trains. Mostly, people invading your personal space and many times exhibiting signs of aggression. Sure, it starts with, “Hey buddy, got a cigarette?” or “got some change?” and if you don’t comply, offense is taken. I’ve been sneered at, bumped, shoved, glared at. I’ve been in close proximity to angry shoving matches between people in the evening where no more than 5 people are in a subway car. I’ve been asked more than once, “What the fuck are you looking at?”

There’s a lot to be said for situational awareness. The last place - these days - I would stick headphones on and drown out my surroundings is in a quickly moving locked metal box surrounded by strangers. I’m sure many of you are the same way - I don’t like to sit anywhere in public where I can’t see everything, more specifically what is right behind me. I’m not paranoid, I just don’t trust every crazy bastard out there.

Through it all, disgusted investigators said, at least 10 passengers stood by and did nothing as the random attack moved from the train to the platform, when the hammer-wielding maniac tried to push his victim down onto the train tracks.

When the beating was finished and the suspect fled with the little boy, the victim staggered back onto the train, bloodied, confused and alone, said Detective Kenneth Roach, of Central Detectives.

And even then, no one tried to help him.

Hardly surprising, but sad. We’re a nation of people terrified of lawsuits, danger, and personal harm. A me-first society that just wants to be left alone until we get into the safety and security of our own homes. Actually, worse than that, a disarmed, me-first society. One simple law-abiding gun-owner conceal carrying on that train and minding his own business could’ve put an end to this in well under 20 seconds. One individual with a basic amount of martial arts training could’ve done the same. However, without the will to act, nothing matters.

“Somebody should have helped this guy,” Roach said. “I understand the [other] guy had a hammer, but they outnumbered him at least 10 to one.”

We’re taught to comply, to never fight back and to avoid confrontation. I find it disingenuous and beyond bothersome for the Police to constantly beat the drum of, “just give them what they want,” or “don’t fight,” or, “just cooperate” and then come out and wag their fingers because nobody threw themselves in front of a claw-hammer-wielding psychopath.

Miraculously, the victim took the subway up to Temple University Hospital, received several staples and sutures and was discharged, Roach said.

That is some very good news.

The attacker - a bearded, stocky, 5-foot-9-inch black man who wore a yellow shirt and black pants - also got on at City Hall, with a youngster who may or may not be his child.

The victim and the hammer-toting psychopath never exchanged a word or a glance, Roach said.

“According to the victim, there was no contact or verbal discussion,” he said. “They didn’t even notice each other.”

The hammer was hidden in a black-and-yellow book bag that the attacker clutched throughout the short subway ride.

Two things stand out here. First, that the article describes this as a “5-foot-9-inch black man”. I didn’t expect to see that description. Second, the “hammer was hidden in a black-and-yellow book bag”. No word yet on whether carrying a concealed claw hammer is illegal. I’m sure Nutter will address it.