Construction Worker, Fisherman, and Mother Killed in Manhattan Knife Attack!
A tragic series of stabbings unfolded in Manhattan on Monday, leaving three individuals dead and raising serious questions about mental health care and the justice system. Portraits of the victims are beginning to emerge, shedding light on their lives and the pain left behind.
Mayor Eric Adams stated that all three victims were transient and alone when they were attacked.
Among them was Angel Landi, a 36-year-old construction worker remembered by his sister, Berta Landi, as hardworking, responsible, and kind-hearted.
Holding a picture of her brother at court on Tuesday, Berta demanded justice, saying she didn’t want his death to be in vain.
Angel Landi was the first victim in the morning attack, allegedly carried out by 51-year-old Ramon Rivera. Police reported that Rivera stabbed Landi on West 19th Street at around 8:30 a.m. while he was on his way to work. Originally from Ecuador, Landi had been living in a rooming house in Peekskill.
According to the source, A growing memorial now marks the site of his death, with candles and flowers placed in his memory. Neighbours gathered at the scene, offering prayers and solidarity for Landi’s grieving family.
Community members expressed outrage at the system’s failures, noting Rivera’s criminal history. Walter Sinche of the Ecuadorian International Alliance questioned how someone with a record of eight prior arrests could have been repeatedly released.
“A hardworking man in construction was stabbed by a mentally ill person,” Sinche said. “Why did the system let this criminal walk free?”
The violence continued two hours later on East 30th Street, where Rivera allegedly killed Chang Wang, a 67-year-old man who had been fishing. A single candle now marks the spot where Wang lost his life.
At 10:55 a.m., police say Rivera attacked his final victim, 36-year-old Wilma Augustin, near the United Nations at East 42nd Street and 1st Avenue. Augustin had been living at a migrant shelter on West 38th Street and was the mother of an 8-year-old boy.
Mayor Adams lamented the challenges of explaining such a tragedy to her young son, calling it a failure to address the pressing need for mental health care.
Rivera’s case has reignited frustration over the city’s inability to adequately address mental health crises and manage individuals with a history of low-level criminal offences.
Mayor Adams emphasized the urgency of legislative changes to empower authorities to remove troubled individuals from the streets involuntarily. Strengthening such measures will be a priority in Albany during the next legislative session, he said.
The lives lost, and the pain left behind serves as a stark reminder of the gaps in the city’s mental health and justice systems. For the families of Angel Landi, Chang Wang, and Wilma Augustin, the fight for justice and systemic change has only just begun.
Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates.