A man was stabbed in the abdomen outside the Randall’s Island migrant shelter in New York City, just two weeks after a deadly shooting unfolded at the same site. The incident occurred at approximately 10:33 a.m. on Sunday, prompting officers to respond to a 911 call for an assault at Randall’s Island Field 82, within the confines of the 25th precinct. Upon arrival, officers found a 26-year-old male victim with a stab wound to the abdomen, who was then transported to NYC Health and Hospitals + Harlem in stable condition by EMS.
According to a spokesperson for the New York City Police Department (NYPD), there have been no arrests made in connection to the stabbing, and the investigation is still ongoing as of Monday. This incident comes on the heels of a recent search conducted by officers at the Randall’s Island migrant shelter for drugs and weapons, which led to approximately 3,000 adults housed at the facility being forced to wait outside. Despite the sweep on August 2, no contraband was found.
As migrants reach the end of their allotted time at the shelter, they have begun setting up tents and camps just outside the facility, even though officials have warned against camping in the area. Some migrants have expressed concerns about the safety of the area, with one Venezuelan migrant, Pilar Lopez, commenting to CBS News that illegal activities continue to take place in front of law enforcement officers without any intervention.
The decision to conduct the sweep at the shelter followed a tragic incident where an innocent bystander was shot and killed at an overnight gathering near the shelter, with two others sustaining injuries. The fatal shooting occurred at around 3:30 a.m. on July 29 at Wards Meadow Loop Field 71, as reported by FOX 5 NY. While no arrests have been made in connection to the shooting, police have impounded cars and mopeds linked to migrants in the area.
Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom emphasized during a press conference that officials are working to handle the situation with campers in a fair manner, without resorting to heavy-handed tactics. She stressed the importance of individuals who have completed their stay at the shelter moving on to make room for others in need. Migrant Mamamadou Bah from Guinea expressed his desire for the city to provide more support in finding employment as he continues to wait for a work permit.
The situation at the Randall’s Island migrant shelter remains complex and challenging, with ongoing concerns about safety, illegal activities, and the need for support services for migrants transitioning out of the facility. As authorities continue to investigate the recent stabbing and address the broader issues facing the shelter and its surroundings, the community looks towards finding solutions to ensure the well-being of all individuals involved in the migrant encampment near Randall’s Island.
