A suspect in New York City was taken into custody after police said he went on a “wicked” and “unprovoked” stabbing spree, killing three people Monday, as Mayor Eric Adams accused the criminal justice system of “failing New Yorkers.”

According to the statement made by the New York Police Department, a woman and two men lost their lives in the attack, which was stopped hours later with the help of a taxi driver, a British tourist and a police officer.

“These attacks appear to be unprovoked, he walked up to them and stabbed them with a knife,” NYPD chief of detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters. he said, adding that there did not appear to be any motive as no words were exchanged and no property was stolen.

“Today, we have three innocent New Yorkers living their lives who were the victims of a horrific, horrific attack,” Mayor Adams said in a statement Monday. he said. “This is a clear-cut example of the criminal justice system and mental health system that continues to fail New Yorkers.”

Ramon Rivera, 51, who was detained with two large kitchen knives covered in blood, is a mentally ill homeless man who has been arrested eight times in New York, according to Kenny. Rivera was released from Rikers Island a month ago. The suspect was also arrested in Ohio and Florida.

Monday’s attack began around 8:20am in Chelsea and left a 36-year-old construction worker stabbed in the stomach. A nearby doorman heard a woman who witnessed the attack scream.

The doorman said, “The construction worker was stabbed 3 meters in front of him. He saw him stabbed twice with a kitchen knife.” “He had a little kid. He was hysterical.”

Hours later, a 68-year-old man was killed while fishing near the East River.

A 36-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times near the United Nations building at East 42nd Street and First Avenue, according to Kenny. He died in hospital hours later.

“As of right now it appears these attacks were unprovoked, he walked up to them and started attacking them with knives,” said Kenny, adding that the suspect did not use public transportation or driving between each stabbing location.

In October, Rivera pleaded not guilty to a grand larceny charge over accusations that he stole a $1,500 bowl from a store in Tribeca. He was released on bail without any conditions.

The investigation into Monday’s stabbings will determine what charges, if any, Rivera may face.