NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD commissioner are commending members of the city’s police force for swiftly apprehending a suspected serial stabber.
The suspect, 27-year-old Jermain Rigueur, is accused of attacking five people and is being linked to a possible sixth case. He was seen in surveillance images wearing his hospital ID and a lanyard at the time of the attacks.
Rigueur, who authorities say just moved to Queens from Suffolk County, Long Island, was taken into custody and transported to court for arraignment on multiple counts of attempted murder. Police were able to track him down after receiving a tip and issuing a citywide manhunt.
The top police brass emphasized the random nature of each stabbing, stating that no two victims share any commonality. Detectives determined that the victims didn’t know each other, and there was no evidence of robbery.
Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban expressed appreciation for the efforts of the police force, highlighting the extensive interviews and interactions with witnesses and New Yorkers that contributed to Rigueur’s arrest.
The suspect had been working at Woodhull Hospital as a patient greeter and had passed a background check. Dr. Mitch Katz, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, said Rigueur was still being observed as part of his orientation and had never worked independently at the hospital.
During the attacks, the suspect laughed in one victim’s face after the stabbing, indicating the random and chilling nature of the crimes. One victim, Amara Kourouma, described seeing the suspect before being stabbed, showing the sudden and unexpected nature of the attacks.
The suspect has no prior arrests or history of mental health issues, and police are still awaiting a search warrant to uncover the weapon indicated by Rigueur. All the victims are expected to survive, and the suspect is also believed to be linked to a sixth stabbing on the J train in Brooklyn.
The police’s swift action and thorough investigation are a testament to their commitment and dedication to protecting the safety and security of the city’s residents.