New York City police are searching for a suspect following the fatal stabbing of a 35-year-old worker at a Brooklyn homeless shelter. The stabbing occurred around 6:15 p.m. Thursday in the lobby of the Days Inn by Wyndham Brooklyn on East New York Avenue. Officers found the victim with stab wounds to the neck and abdomen. He was transported to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect, described as a 6’1″, 225-pound man wearing all black clothing, a ski mask, and a baseball cap, fled the scene on foot. The shelter, operated by a non-profit organization hired by the city’s Department of Homeless Services, has been housed in the Days Inn since the pandemic. The victim, a resident of the neighborhood, was described by shelter residents as hardworking and helpful. His identity has not yet been released.
The motive for the stabbing remains unclear; no witnesses reported hearing a dispute prior to the attack. The NYPD is canvassing the area for clues and reviewing surveillance video. Police emphasize that the shelter itself is not directly operated by the city. The Department of Homeless Services released a statement calling the incident “an absolutely horrific tragedy” and acknowledging the dedication of frontline staff who support vulnerable New Yorkers.