### Two Dead and One Critically Injured in Manhattan Stabbings, Suspect in Custody

In a series of violent attacks across Manhattan on Monday morning, two men lost their lives and a woman is critically injured, according to the New York City Police Department. The suspect, now in custody, is a 51-year-old man who appears to be homeless. Authorities have not released his name and are not seeking any additional suspects in connection with the stabbings.

The suspect has a criminal record, including eight prior arrests, the most recent being for grand larceny in October 2024, according to city officials. Mayor Eric Adams highlighted these events as a stark illustration of the failures within the criminal justice and mental health systems. During a press conference, Adams emphasized the need for an investigation into why the suspect was at large despite being sentenced a few months ago and why his severe mental health issues were seemingly overlooked.

The first stabbing occurred around 8:22 a.m. A 36-year-old male construction worker was standing in front of his work site near Chelsea when he was approached and stabbed in the abdomen by a man described as "light-skinned" with a beard. More than two hours later, at approximately 10:27 a.m., a second attack claimed the life of a 68-year-old male who was fishing near the East River. He was stabbed multiple times across his body.

Both male victims were pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital. The third victim, a 36-year-old woman, was attacked around 10:55 a.m. near the United Nations Headquarters and sustained multiple stab wounds across her body.

A cab driver witnessed what he initially thought was a robbery and pursued the suspect, eventually alerting an NYPD officer. The officer detained the man, who was found with two bloody kitchen knives and wearing blood-stained clothing. The names of the victims are being withheld until their families are notified.