A knife-wielding man killed three people in an hours-long stabbing spree across three locations in Manhattan on Monday. The attacks, described by police as "unprovoked," began at 8:22 a.m. and ended just before 11 a.m. The first victim, a 36-year-old man, was attacked at a construction site near 444 W. 19th Street. About two hours later, a 68-year-old man fishing near 500 E. 30th Street was fatally stabbed. Both men were transported to Bellevue Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. At 10:55 a.m., a woman was attacked near East 42nd Street and First Avenue, close to the United Nations. She was initially hospitalized in critical condition but later succumbed to her injuries. Authorities apprehended a suspect shortly after the final attack near 46th Street and First Avenue. He was identified as Ramon Rivera, 51, a homeless man with a lengthy criminal record and a history of mental health issues. Rivera has been arrested eight times in New York City this year alone, facing charges including burglary and attempted assault on a police officer. Mayor Eric Adams expressed concerns over why Rivera, given his criminal history and mental health challenges, was not under closer supervision. "There’s a real question we need to address about why he was out on the streets," Adams said. The assailant was captured thanks to the actions of bystanders, including a taxi driver who reported the final stabbing and followed the suspect while alerting police. Witnesses described the man carrying a woman’s purse and behaving nonchalantly before his arrest. When apprehended near the Turkish Consulate, Rivera surrendered without resistance. Police recovered two large knives from his bag, one of which appeared to be bloodied. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described the attacks as random, with no apparent motive. The victims have not yet been publicly identified pending family notification. While violent crime remains a prominent issue in New York City politics, the city has seen a decline in major felonies, including murder, compared to previous years. As of November 10, there were 326 murders in 2024, reflecting a slight drop from last year and a significant decrease compared to earlier decades.