NEW YORK, NY – A terrifying morning unfolded in Manhattan as a man wielding two large kitchen knives embarked on a deadly rampage, targeting strangers seemingly at random. The suspect, a 51-year-old man, was apprehended outside the Turkish Consulate, near the United Nations, following a three-hour spree that left two people dead and one critically injured.
The violence began at a construction site on West 19th Street, where the suspect fatally stabbed a 36-year-old construction worker. Witnesses reported that no words were exchanged before the unprovoked attack, leaving the community in shock. Nearly two hours later, the suspect encountered his second victim, a 68-year-old man, who was fishing by the East River. This attack, too, proved fatal.
The suspect’s final assault occurred near East 42nd Street and First Avenue, where a 36-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times. She remains in critical condition at a local hospital. Her survival is attributed to an alert Uber driver who witnessed the attack and took swift action.
After spotting the suspect, the driver pursued him in his vehicle, believing initially that he was witnessing a robbery. His persistence paid off when he managed to flag down a New York Police Department officer, leading to the suspect’s arrest. The driver, identified only as Michael, recounted his efforts to alert others, repeatedly urging them to “stop that guy.”
Police officers quickly responded, and upon searching the suspect’s bag, they discovered two bloodied knives and a mask. Mayor Eric Adams later commented on the incident, highlighting the ongoing issues within the criminal justice and mental health systems that he believes contributed to the day’s tragic events.
The suspect, who has a history of arrests in multiple states, including a recent one in New York, was scheduled to appear in court in December. As of now, he remains in custody at the 10th Precinct.
The incident has left the Manhattan community reeling and raised questions about public safety and the adequacy of mental health support for individuals with violent tendencies. Authorities continue their investigation, seeking to understand the motives behind the attacks.