New York City was left shaken on Monday, June 3, 2024, after a shocking stabbing spree claimed the lives of three individuals across separate locations in Manhattan. Authorities say the suspect — now identified as 51-year-old Ramon Rivera — carried out a series of "seemingly unprovoked" knife attacks that took place over several hours in broad daylight.
The violent spree began at 8:22 a.m. when a 36-year-old man was stabbed near 444 West 19th Street while working at a construction site. Just over two hours later, at 10:27 a.m., a second victim — a 68-year-old man fishing at the end of East 30th Street — was similarly attacked. Both men were rushed to Bellevue Hospital but succumbed to their injuries.
Shortly afterward, at 10:55 a.m., a woman was stabbed near East 42nd Street and First Avenue, just steps from the United Nations headquarters. Initially reported in critical condition, the woman later died from her injuries, NYPD confirmed Monday evening.
Police quickly launched a manhunt, and bystanders played a crucial role in helping authorities locate the attacker. One taxi driver witnessed the third stabbing and, believing it to be a robbery, alerted nearby officers.
Another bystander, Baha Biten, saw the suspect walking away calmly with a woman’s purse — a move that drew suspicion. “You could tell that purse doesn’t belong to him,” Biten told reporters. “I told him, ‘Drop the bag, there’s going to be cops ahead, it’s not worth it.’”
The suspect was arrested without incident on 46th Street and First Avenue, near the Turkish Consulate. When officers searched the bag Rivera was carrying, they discovered a mask and two large knives, one of which appeared to be bloodstained.
Rivera, described by police as homeless, has a deeply concerning criminal history and was well known to law enforcement. City officials revealed that he had been arrested eight times in New York City in the past year alone — seven of those arrests were for felonies. Charges ranged from attempted assault on a police officer to burglary and grand larceny.
Rivera also reportedly has a documented history of severe mental illness and prior run-ins with the law in three other states. It remains unclear why Rivera, despite such a record and documented mental health issues, was out on the streets.
“We are still looking over his record, but there’s a real question on why he was out on the street,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “He was sentenced a few months ago… and he has some severe mental health issues that should have been examined.”
As of the time of publication, the identities of the three victims have not been made public, pending notification of their families. What is known is that the first victim was a young man working to support himself, the second an elderly man simply enjoying his morning fishing routine, and the third an innocent woman walking in a public space.
New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described the attacks as entirely unprovoked. “He just walked up to them and began to attack them with the knives,” he said.
The arrest of the suspect may not have been possible without the swift action of alert New Yorkers. Witnesses not only alerted law enforcement but followed the suspect and relayed critical information that led to the arrest.
“I want to thank the everyday New Yorker who notified Officer Garvey and told him what he observed,” said Mayor Adams. Officer Robert Garvey was able to act quickly on that tip and apprehend Rivera.
This incident highlights not just the horror of random public violence, but also the urgent need for accountability, mental health reform, and victim advocacy. For the families of the victims, the road ahead will be filled with grief, unanswered questions, and legal complexities.
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At Haggard Crime Victim Attorney, we are committed to standing with victims of violence and their families. Whether the incident stems from negligent security, system failure, or mental health oversight, victims deserve answers, accountability, and justice. Our experienced legal team is here to help survivors and families pursue compensation and take legal action against all responsible parties.
If you or someone you love has been impacted by a violent crime in New York or beyond, don’t face the aftermath alone. Contact Haggard Crime Victim Attorney today for a free, confidential consultation. We are here to help you move forward.
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