NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A Columbia University student was stabbed to death overnight near Morningside Park, where a second victim was also stabbed in what police are calling a pair of unprovoked attacks. A 25-year-old man was taken into custody. The stabbings happened within 15 minutes of each other.
Police said the 30-year-old Columbia student was stabbed in the stomach around 11 p.m. near the park. Officers found him by the corner of West 123rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later died.
Columbia Student Killed, Tourist Wounded In Stabbings Near Morningside Park; Suspect In Custody
Police said the second victim, a 27-year-old tourist, was also stabbed in the stomach. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to be OK.
Investigators think both incidents were unprovoked and the victims did not know each other.
According to authorities, a witness who saw the second attack identified the suspect, and police spotted him about 20 blocks away by 104th Street and Central Park. Officers saw a man holding a knife and harassing a third person, but took him into custody before he could do more harm.
CCTV Footage of Columbia Student Killed
Med Student Dead & Tourist Wounded in #NYC Stabbing Spree: A terrible night in our city. An ex-con started stabbing people near #MorningsidePark, leaving a 30 year old medical student from Columbia University dead and wounding an Italian tourist, who is 27. According to #AnthonyDiLorenzo, the suspect is affiliated with the EVK “Everybody Killas” gang.