New York City stabbing spree kills 2, critically injures woman; Suspect in custody

Two people are dead and another is fighting for his life after he was stabbed multiple times in unprovoked attacks in New York by a suspect who police believe had serious mental health issues.

New York police reported that the unidentified 51-year-old suspect attacked a 36-year-old construction worker with a kitchen knife between 19th Street and 9th and 10th Avenue at 08.22 on Monday morning and committed three separate stabbings. Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said at a news conference.

The man then attacked a 68-year-old man who was fishing at 500 East 30th Street and the East River at 10:27 a.m., stabbing him multiple times with a kitchen knife, according to Kenny.

Both stabbing victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital and died from their injuries before the suspect attacked a woman a half-hour later, Kenny said.

“This is a clear example of the criminal justice system and mental health system that continues to fail New Yorkers,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at the press conference. “It is concerning that we stand here today on a day that has brought great hardship and pain to this city.”

Suspect caught with bloody kitchen knife and clothes

The last attack took place at 10:55 a.m. by the United Nations headquarters at 42nd Street and First Avenue, according to Kenny. He added that the victim was a 36-year-old woman who was stabbed multiple times.

The woman was taken to Cornell Medical Center in critical condition Monday afternoon, Kenny said.

Shortly after that stabbing, the chief said, a taxi driver called police about a robbery that had reportedly occurred near Turkey’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Police officers detained the man and found “two large kitchen knives covered in blood.” The suspect’s clothes were also stained with blood, Kenny added.

The suspect had been arrested eight times before, including the last one for grand larceny in October, and appeared to be homeless, Kenny said.

Mayor Eric Adams: ‘Our hearts go out to the families’

Adams said police were not looking for any other suspects and that he and other New York officials were grieving with the families of the stabbing victims.

“Our hearts go out to the families,” Adams told reporters. “To other New Yorkers who observed such a horrific act, we will keep them in our prayers.”

Along with his condolences, Adams explained how the suspect was sentenced several months ago and questions remain about his release.

“There’s a real question as to why he’s on the street,” the mayor said. “There are some serious mental health issues that need to be examined.”

Surveillance footage showed the suspect appearing to be traveling on foot with kitchen knives out at the time of the attacks, according to Kenny.

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: 2 people died and a woman was seriously injured in a knife attack in New York