Mom punched at Elder Avenue station, says punch was meant for 8-year-old son

A mother says a man on the subway tried to attack her son in Soundview.
The mother told police she was just waiting on the subway platform with her 8-year-old son when a random man approached them on Dec. 23 around 1 p.m.
According to investigators, the mother was standing on the Elder Avenue subway platform with her son when the man approached them and allegedly tried to hit the child. That’s when the mother says she stepped in, taking the punch in the face meant for her son in the face. The man then ran away.
News 12 is told the victim refused medical attention at the scene. 
Police are offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment.
The suspect is believed to be between 35 to 45 years old and was last seen wearing a black jacket.
Anyone with information is asked to call police.