Man arrested in series of New York City stabbings, police say

NEW YORK — New York City police have arrested a hospital worker from Queens after a series of recent stabbings, officials announced Thursday.

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban described the six attacks over the past 10 days, none of which were fatal, at a news conference as “random, unmotivated violence.”

Jermain Rigueur, a 27-year-old greeter at a city hospital, was arrested on charges of attempted murder in connection with three of the cases, and assault in a fourth, all in Queens. Police said Thursday morning that they were still preparing charges for two other attacks, one in Queens and one on a Brooklyn subway.

Police released surveillance video showing Rigueur holding a large hunting knife that he allegedly used in at least one attack.

The first stabbing was reported on January 8. Police say the next knife attack happened on Tuesday, injuring a woman as she walked home. The next day, three men were stabbed within about 30 minutes, police had said in a statement earlier this week. That series of attacks led to a public plea for tips, and Rigueur was arrested within 24 hours, police said.

The victims ranged from 34 to 74 years old and included people of different genders and racial backgrounds, police said. One attack followed an argument over a bus seat. In the other attacks there was no clear build-up.

Rigueur had no prior arrests or evidence of mental illness, police said. Attempts to find an attorney who could speak on his behalf were unsuccessful.

He also had undergone a background check in November as part of the hospital greeting process, said Dr. Mitchell Katz, head of the city’s public hospital system, at the NYPD press conference.

Rigueur’s job was limited to directing people arriving at the hospital, Katz said. He has been placed on administrative leave and would be denied access to the hospital pending the outcome of the criminal case, Katz said.