NEW YORK (AP) — In a chilling series of random assaults across Manhattan, a man has been formally charged with three counts of first-degree murder following the fatal stabbings of three individuals, as confirmed by police on Tuesday.
Ramon Rivera, 51, was apprehended after authorities discovered him with bloodstains on his clothing, along with two kitchen knives in his possession, raising serious alarm about his involvement.
“Three New Yorkers. Unprovoked attacks that left us searching for answers on how something like this could happen,” remarked Mayor Eric Adams during a somber news conference on Monday afternoon.
Investigators are fervently working to piece together the motivations behind the horrific rampage, which transpired within a mere two and a half hours on a seemingly ordinary Monday.
“No words exchanged. No property taken. Just attacked, viciously,” stated Joseph Kenny, the chief of detectives at the New York Police Department, elucidating the senseless nature of the assaults. “He just walked up to them and began to attack them with the knives.”
The first stabbing occurred on West 19th Street, claiming the life of a 36-year-old construction worker named Angel Lata Landi, who was tragically attacked while standing near his work site close to the Hudson River shortly before 8:30 a.m., according to police reports. Approximately two hours later, another assault took place across the island, where a 68-year-old man was targeted while fishing in the East River adjacent to East 30th Street.
Both victims succumbed to their injuries shortly after the brutal stabbings, as confirmed by Kenny. The identity of the fisherman has not been publicly disclosed.
The suspect appears to have traveled north along the riverfront, and around 10:55 a.m., he fatally stabbed a 36-year-old woman, identified as Wilma Augustin, multiple times near the United Nations headquarters on East 42nd Street. She later died at a hospital that same day.
A passing cab driver who witnessed the third attack promptly alerted police stationed nearby at First Avenue and East 46th Street. Officers swiftly responded and soon apprehended the suspect.
Rivera was arraigned on Tuesday, however, representatives from the Legal Aid Society, handling his defense, opted not to offer any comments regarding the case.
The recent bloodshed unfolded in a major urban center where crime has increasingly dominated political discussions and daily concerns, especially in the wake of pandemic-induced lockdowns that disrupted everyday life and led to rising disorder. While killings in New York City have seen a 14% decline over the past two years, serious assaults have surged by approximately 12%, according to police statistics.
Recent stabbings in public locales have gained attention, including a fatal attack at the Coney Island subway station only weeks prior.
Adams, a Democrat, remarked that Monday’s violent outbursts serve as “a clear, clear example” of the shortcomings within the criminal justice system and beyond.
The individual behind Monday’s rampage, reportedly homeless, had recently been sentenced in a criminal matter and was arrested last month in connection with a grand larceny case, raising further questions about the system’s efficacy.
This violent episode mirrors a similar incident from three years ago when a spate of stabbings along a subway line resulted in two fatalities and injuries to two others within a brief timespan.
In 2019, an alarming incident occurred where four individuals who were asleep in doorways and on sidewalks in Chinatown were beaten to death, with a fifth sustaining severe injuries during the early morning hours of a Saturday.
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How can the community best support law enforcement in enhancing public safety after such attacks?
**Interview with Joseph Kenny, Chief of Detectives at the NYPD**
**Editor (E):** Thank you for joining us today, Chief Kenny. The recent series of stabbings in Manhattan has left many residents shaken. Can you walk us through the timeline of these attacks?
**Joseph Kenny (JK):** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The tragic events unfolded in a very short span—about two and a half hours on a seemingly ordinary Monday. The first incident was around 8:30 a.m. on West 19th Street, where a construction worker was fatally attacked. Then, just two hours later, we had at least one more victim across town at East 30th Street. The final attack occurred near the United Nations headquarters around 10:55 a.m.
**E:** It’s frightening to learn that these attacks were random and unprovoked. What was the suspect’s motive, and what do we currently know about him?
**JK:** That’s the critical question we’re trying to answer. Right now, we know the perpetrator, Ramon Rivera, was apprehended with bloodstained clothing and two kitchen knives. He approached his victims without any interaction—no words exchanged, no theft involved—simply vicious, unprovoked attacks. We’re working diligently to understand what led to this horrific rampage.
**E:** Mayor Eric Adams expressed concern about the senseless nature of these crimes. What measures is the NYPD taking to ensure public safety amid this alarming incident?
**JK:** We are enhancing our patrols in affected areas and utilizing every resource at our disposal to ensure the safety of New Yorkers. Our detectives are actively investigating the case, and we are also reaching out to community leaders to keep the lines of communication open. We want to reassure the public that their safety is our top priority.
**E:** Given the swift response to the third attack by a local cab driver, how important is public vigilance in situations like this?
**JK:** It’s absolutely crucial. The quick action by the cab driver not only alerted our officers but also helped us apprehend Rivera promptly. Public vigilance can be a significant deterrent against crime. We encourage everyone to stay aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity.
**E:** Thank you, Chief Kenny, for your insights during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
**JK:** Thank you. We appreciate the support as we work through this tragedy together.
