A third victim has succumbed to injuries sustained during what appears to be an arbitrary attack by a suspect who exhibited “significant mental health issues” during a stabbing spree in New York City on Monday.

The individual believed to be the attacker was taken into custody by police Monday afternoon after he was found with blood on his clothing and armed with two knives. Identified as Ramon Rivera, 51, the New York police announced on Tuesday that he is facing three charges of first-degree murder.

Two of the deceased have been named: Angel Lata Landi, 36, a construction worker from Peekskill, New York, and Wilma Augustin, 36, from Manhattan. Authorities have said the third deceased is a 67-year-old man, whose identity has not yet been disclosed as his family has not been informed of his passing.

At a press conference on Monday, Mayor Eric Adams described the stabbings as “senseless attacks.”

“Today we mourn three innocent New Yorkers who were violently attacked while going about their daily lives,” stated Adams, flanked by law enforcement officials.

Three fatalities in Manhattan stabbing spree

The series of assaults unfolded over approximately two and a half hours across Manhattan, leading authorities to “seek answers to how such an event could occur,” said Adams.

The first attack took place at 8:22 a.m. Monday on 19th Street, where Rivera allegedly stabbed Lata Landi multiple times in the abdomen at a construction site.

Approximately two hours later, at 10:25 a.m. on 30th Street, a 67-year-old man—whose name remains undisclosed—was attacked while he was fishing, suffering similar stab wounds to his stomach.

Both victims were transported to the same hospital but unfortunately succumbed to their injuries shortly after arrival.

At 10:55 a.m., Rivera is believed to have committed his final assault on a woman at the intersection of 42nd Street and 1st Avenue near the United Nations headquarters. Augustin was stabbed in the chest and left arm and hospitalized but later passed away.

“He approached them and began his assault with the knives,” stated New York police Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny at the press conference. “There were no words exchanged, nor was anything stolen.”

A taxi driver who witnessed the attack on the third victim originally thought it was a robbery and followed the assailant while notifying police. When Rivera was apprehended, officers found him wearing blood-soaked clothing and carrying knives.

Suspect has ‘significant mental health challenges,’ says Adams

Mayor Adams mentioned that authorities are still evaluating Rivera’s criminal history, expressing concern over why he was free on the streets.

Police noted that Rivera, who seemed to be homeless, had eight previous arrests and was most recently apprehended in October for grand larceny. Adams emphasized that he has “serious mental health issues.”

“This is a stark illustration of a criminal justice and mental health system failing to protect New Yorkers,” lamented Adams.