NYPD investigating after body of third homeless person found in Manhattan
NEW YORK -- The investigation continues into a series of attacks on the homeless in the Big Apple.
On Sunday night, the NYPD and D.C. Metro Police in our nation's capital released images of man that authorities in both cities believe is the same person.
And as CBS2's Kevin Rincon reported, there has been yet another incident that could be connected.
A day after two homeless New Yorkers were shot in a targeted attack, a third person was found dead on Sunday evening in lower Manhattan.
Police say the body of a 42-year-old homeless man, who was known to them, was discovered at around 6:30 p.m. in Tribeca.
There was an active investigation underway Sunday night after the man was found dead with puncture wounds. It's not clear if he was shot or stabbed, but it's now part of a very disturbing pattern of attacks that has spread beyond New York City.
The third homeless New Yorker attacked this weekend was found dead along Greenwich and Murray streets. Police say officers spoke with him at around 6 a.m., offered him a bottle of water, and let him know of the other two attacks on Saturday. He decided to stay.
His death is now being investigated alongside the deadly attack on Lafayette Street, and another shooting on Saturday morning on King Street near Varick. That victim is at a hospital recovering.
The NYPD, in a joint press release with D.C. Metro Police, said between the two cities, there have been five shootings, including two homicides. In each offense, the victims were experiencing homelessness.
They believe they're after the same suspect. They released the new images in hopes of getting the public's help.
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said, "Our homeless population is one of our most vulnerable and an individual praying on them as they sleep is an exceptionally heinous crime. We will use every tool, every technique, and every partner to bring the killer to justice."
Meanwhile, at the scene of one of the shootings, advocates came out for a prayer vigil, calling on the city and state to do more for the homeless.
"How many homeless New Yorkers must die?" asked Celina Trowell of Vocal NY.
The group said recent efforts to remove homeless people from the subway system has only made things worse.
"This is not the time to blame and point fingers at the most vulnerable community members," Trowell said. "Somehow, those experiencing street homelessness have become public enemy number one."
"Homeless New Yorkers need safe haven. What that means is offering safe haven beds, stabilization beds, and housing so people can come inside and be safe -- not be sleeping out in weather like this," added Corinne Low, executive director of the Open Hearts Initiative.
Some lawmakers were part of the group. They said the solution has to go beyond shelters and requires permanent housing.
"I hope New Yorkers understand that we've lost one of our own, and I'm concerned that too many New Yorkers have become desensitized to the issues of homelessness," state Sen. Brad Hoylman said.
"It is a tragic failure of our city now for a generation to provide adequate services, to provide adequate resources, and most of all to provide adequate housing, adequate safe spaces for people to live," state Sen. Brian Kavanagh added.
As the search for the suspect continues, police have tried to make contact with as many homeless New Yorkers as possible to notify them of the potential dangers of being out on the streets.
It's still unclear whether this incident is tied to the other five attacks.
