A series of brutal stabbings in Manhattan left three innocent victims dead and a community in shock on Monday morning.
According to the New York Post, Ramon Rivera, 51, confessed to law enforcement that he specifically targeted victims who were "alone" and "distracted" during his deadly rampage that stretched from Manhattan's West Side to the East River.
The homeless man with documented mental health issues was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on three counts of first-degree murder.
Assistant District Attorney Megan Joy detailed how Rivera allegedly carried out three unprovoked attacks within hours. The victims included a construction worker, a fisherman, and a single mother who had been living in a shelter.
Deadly Rampage Claims Three Innocent Lives
The violence began around 8:20 a.m. when Angel Gustavo Lata-Landi, a 36-year-old construction worker from Peekskill, was attacked while waiting for his ride in Chelsea. The second victim, Chang Wang, 67, was fatally stabbed while fishing near the East River shortly before 10:30 a.m.
Within half an hour, Wilma Augustin, 36, a Haitian migrant and single mother residing at the Americana Inn shelter, became the third victim near the United Nations building.
Assistant District Attorney Megan Joy addressed the court regarding the severity of Rivera's actions:
(Rivera) embarked on a bloody and violent rampage that took the lives of three innocent New Yorkers who were doing nothing but going about their day
The suspect remained expressionless during his court appearance, maintaining the same demeanor he reportedly showed after his arrest when he spent hours sleeping in police custody before providing his confession.
Criminal History And Mental Health Concerns Surface
Rivera's legal troubles extend beyond the current charges, with Judge Janet McDonnell noting his recent release on supervised release for a petit larceny case just last month. The suspect had been freed on October 17, the same day he completed a jail sentence for a separate burglary case.
The revelations about Rivera's mental health prompted Mayor Adams to renew his advocacy for the involuntary removal of mentally ill individuals from the streets. The mayor expressed his frustration with previous resistance to such measures:
Everybody said I was inhumane, that we just want to institutionalize people. Well, this is the result. This is the result of not taking actions and ignoring people who need help
The prosecution highlighted Rivera's status as a felon from a 2023 burglary case and mentioned an outstanding fugitive warrant from New Jersey, factors that contributed to the judge's decision to remand him without bail.
Unraveling A Morning Of Terror
Ramon Rivera, a 51-year-old homeless man with documented mental health issues, stands accused of carrying out three fatal stabbings across Manhattan on Monday morning. The attacks claimed the lives of a construction worker, a fisherman, and a migrant single mother, all of whom were going about their daily routines when they were targeted.
The suspect faces three counts of first-degree murder and remains in custody without bail while also being wanted on a fugitive warrant from New Jersey. The case has reignited debates about mental health treatment and public safety in New York City, with local officials calling for policy changes regarding the handling of mentally ill individuals on city streets.
