2 men stabbed in NYC in daylight, person of interest held as one victim fights for life

Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: An otherwise routine Thursday, July 23, afternoon on Manhattan's Upper West Side turned into chaos when two men were stabbed just minutes apart near Central Park.

The violence erupted in broad daylight at two nearby locations, sending both victims to the hospital and prompting a rapid police response.

Authorities have since detained a person of interest as they investigate whether the two attacks are connected.

Two men stabbed in broad daylight

Police said the first victim, a 57-year-old man, was attacked around 1.30 pm near West 84th Street and Central Park West, suffering a stab wound to the torso.

Minutes later, a second man, believed to be in his 50s, was stabbed near West 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, just a few blocks away. He was reportedly left with a serious chest wound.

Both victims were rushed by emergency responders to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. Authorities said one remains in critical condition, while the other is injured but not believed to be in immediate danger.

The rapid succession and close proximity of the attacks led to a heavy police presence in the area as officers canvassed the neighborhood.

Person of interest in police custody

Law enforcement officials said a person of interest was detained a short distance from the scenes of the stabbings. 

While investigators believe the individual may be linked to both incidents, no formal charges have been announced so far.

Authorities are still working to determine what sparked the violence.

Early indications suggested the attacks may have been unprovoked, but police have not confirmed whether the victims were targeted or chosen at random.

Detectives continued gathering evidence from both locations, speaking with witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby buildings and businesses to piece together what happened.

The identities of the victims have not been released, and officials have not indicated whether either man had any prior connection to the person in custody.

The stabbings have rattled residents in one of Manhattan's busiest residential neighborhoods, an area typically crowded with pedestrians, tourists and families visiting nearby Central Park.