Congressman Ritchie Torres blasts Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, accusing them of stabbing attacks

NEW YORK (WABC) — Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres angers Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul by blaming them for last week’s stabbing in Manhattan.

In an open letter, Torres called them “complicit” in the deaths of three New Yorkers who were “brutally stabbed to death in a homicidal attack that occurred in broad daylight.”

Ramon Rivera, who has a history of mental illness, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and is being held without bail. police said he fatally stabbed two men and a woman in seemingly random attacks.

Torres said suspect Rivera should not go unnoticed.

“I write to express my concern about the complicity of the State and the City in the murder of three New Yorkers who were brutally stabbed to death in a broad daylight homicidal rampage,” he said in his letter.

“The bureaucrats at the DOC who allowed Ramon’s early release should be fired. Those who cannot be entrusted with public safety should no longer be employed by the people of New York,” wrote Torres, who is considering a primary election for governor.

“It is disturbing that Ramon Rivera was able to roam our streets freely, which is why Mayor Adams was one of the first to question this publicly. The Mayor is also sounding the alarm about a revolving door of criminals being released onto the streets. Our police officers have been arresting them for years,” said a spokesperson from the Mayor’s office.

Torres also called Governor Hochul an “ineffective governor” and criticized his handling of congestion pricing.

“It’s well-intentioned but ineffective,” Torres said at a news conference Monday.

He also blamed both the mayor and the governor for Trump’s election day gains.

“I have lost confidence and blame the failed leadership of New York state and New York City for Donald Trump’s advance in New York. No other state has seen a greater swing than NY, which is an indictment of failed leadership in local government.” said Torres.

A spokesperson for the governor’s office issued a statement: “This case was a tragic failure in New York City’s criminal and judicial systems, as City officials have confirmed. Governor Hochul said prosecutors and judges will hold repeat offenders accountable and successfully take people with mental illness off the streets.” “We will continue to invest in programs that will save people and direct them to treatment.”

“I have described Kathy Hochul as the next Joe Biden. If Kathy Hochul loses to Lee Zeldin by a 5-point margin, she could easily lose to Mike Lawler. She is in danger of becoming the first Democratic incumbent governor to lose to a Republican. A train in more than 30 years crash is coming, we can either stand idle or avoid the derailment,” said Torres.

Torres said he will embark on a statewide “listening tour” before deciding whether to run for governor by mid-2025.

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