Yes, people who were there have made it very clear they were terrified.He was threatening anyone and everyone. It was just a matter of time before he chose who he was going to attack. He didn't care if he went to prison.
JMO

Witness to Jordan Neely chokehold death calls Daniel Penny a ‘hero’ and offers to testify on his behalf
“The rhetoric from Mr. Neely was very frightening, it was very harsh,” the witness told The Post.

“People that travel the subway see and hear everything — this was different. And frightening.
“People were gravitating towards the exit doors, and we couldn’t get out because we were still between stations,” she continued.
“People exited quickly [when we pulled in], and people were trying to call 911 when they were in the train … I sensed danger.”