Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of RAMON RIVERA, 51, for murdering three New Yorkers in a series of stabbings in November 2024. RIVERA is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Murder in the First Degree, three counts of Murder in the Second Degree, and one count of Burglary in the Third Degree. [1]
“As alleged, Ramon Rivera committed an unprovoked and violent series of stabbings across Manhattan, taking the lives of three New Yorkers who were going about their day,” said District Attorney Bragg. “These fatal stabbings have shaken our city, and those who commit random acts of violence will face accountability. My heart goes out to the loved ones of those who were tragically and senselessly killed: Angel Lata Landi, Chang Wang, and Wilna Augustin.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record, on November 18, 2024, at approximately 5:10 a.m., RIVERA broke into an Ace Hardware store at 312 First Avenue by breaking the window. He later walked out of the store carrying a stolen small backpack containing stolen kitchen knives and construction gloves.
At approximately 8:20 a.m., RIVERA, wearing a red t-shirt, was in the vicinity of 444 West 19th Street, when he put on a grey sweatshirt and gloves, pulling his hood over his head. He removed a knife from the backpack he was carrying and placed it in his sweatshirt pocket. Shortly thereafter, he stabbed Angel Lata Landi, a 35-year-old construction worker, without any provocation, twice in the torso. RIVERA fled the scene. Mr. Lata Landi was transported to Bellevue Hospital and pronounced dead at 8:54 a.m.
At approximately 10:18 a.m., RIVERA was in the vicinity of 500 East 30th Street, where Chang Wang, a 67-year-old-man, was fishing. RIVERA followed him, stabbing him multiple times. After, RIVERA fled the location. Someone who was running nearby found Mr. Wang’s body. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital and was pronounced dead at 11:07 a.m.
At approximately 10:52 a.m., at the intersection of East 42nd Street and First Avenue, Wilna Augustin, a 36-year-old woman, was sitting on a park bench. RIVERA approached her, and without any provocation, stabbed her multiple times as she yelled for help. RIVERA ran away. Ms. Augustin was transported to Weill Cornell Medical Center and was pronounced dead at 5:47 p.m.
An eyewitness followed RIVERA until he was able to point him out to law enforcement, including a federal agent. The agent and Police Officer Garvey ran after RIVERA, stopping him at East 46th Street and First Avenue.
Assistant D.A.s Megan Joy (Trial Bureau 60), Christine Keenan (Trial Bureau 40), and John Fuller (Human Trafficking Unit) are handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detectives Yeoman Castro and Teresa Cota of the Manhattan South Homicide Squad, Detectives Kevin Ouellette, Sean Ahearn and Gary Calder of the 10th Precinct Detective Squad, Detective John Hostetter of the 17th Precinct Detective Squad, Officer Robert Garvey of the 17th Precinct, and Officer Nick Mickovic of the 10th Precinct.
Defendant Information:
RAMON RIVERA
Charged:
- Murder in the First Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
- Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, three counts
- Burglary in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count
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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.