CNN reports that a man has been charged with the murder of four homeless men in Manhattan Chinatown.
24-year-old Randy Rodriguez Santos, who is also homeless, killed four homeless men aged 25, 50 and 83 on Saturday. The fourth victim’s age is unknown.
Santos attacked the men by hitting their heads with a metal object while they were sleeping.
One man was found lying in the street with severe head trauma. He was later pronounced dead. A fifth victim aged 49 suffered head injuries managed to approach officers. He was taken to hospital in critical condition.
Other witnesses saw a man wearing a black jacket and black pants hitting a man with a metal object repeatedly.
The victims were found in three locations in or near Chinatown within a 2-block-area after one of the assaults was reported.
“The motive appears to be right now just … random attacks,”NYPD Deputy Chief Michael Baldassano said at a news conference.
NYPD Detective Ahmed Nasser said Santos had been arrested at least six other times and was previously charged with attempted murder and unlawful possession of marijuana.
On Sunday Santos was arraigned in New York City Court and held without bail, with his next court date on Friday.
