A suspect is in custody in New York City after police say he went on a "vicious" and "unprovoked" stabbing spree Monday, killing three people, as Mayor Eric Adams blasted the criminal justice system for "failing New Yorkers."
One woman and two men were killed in the attack that was stopped hours later with the help of a cab driver, a British tourist and a police officer, according to the New York Police Department.
"These attacks appear to be unprovoked, that he just walked up to them and stabbed them with a knife," NYPD chief of detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters, adding that there appears to be no motive with no words exchanged and no property stolen.
"Today, we have three innocent New Yorkers, just going about their lives, who were victims of a terrible, terrible assault," Mayor Adams said Monday. "It is a clear, clear example of the criminal justice system, mental health system that continues to fail New Yorkers."
Ramon Rivera, 51, who was taken into custody with two large kitchen knives covered with blood, is a mentally ill homeless man with eight past arrests in New York City, according to Kenny. Rivera was released from Rikers Island a month ago. The suspect also has been arrested in Ohio and Florida.
Monday's attack started at about 8:20 a.m. EST in Chelsea, where a 36-year-old construction worker was stabbed in the stomach. A nearby doorman heard a woman, who witnessed the attack, screaming.
"The construction worker was stabbed 10 feet in front of her. She saw him stabbed twice with a kitchen knife," the doorman said. "She had a little kid. She was hysterical."
Hours later near the East River, a 68-year-old man who was fishing was killed.
At East 42nd Street and First Avenue, a 36-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times near the United Nations building, according to Kenny. She died hours later at a hospital.
"As of right now, these attacks seem to be unprovoked, that he just walked up to them and began to attack them with knives," Kenny said, adding that the suspect did not take public transit or a vehicle between each stabbing location.
In October, Rivera pleaded not guilty to a grand larceny charge on accusations he stole a $1,500 bowl from a store in Tribeca. He was released on bail without conditions.
The investigation into Monday's stabbings will determine what charges, if any, Rivera could face.
