MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) — Three people were stabbed, two of them fatally, in Manhattan early Monday, and the incidents appear to be related, police said.

A 51-year-old suspect is in custody after he was found with blood on his clothes. He is believed to be homeless and lives at the Bellevue Men’s Shelter on East 30th Street.

It all unfolded when a 36-year-old construction worker was fatally stabbed at 444 West 19th Street just before 8:30 a.m. He was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

Then a 68-year-old man who was fishing was stabbed at 500 East 30th Street just before 10:30 a.m. He was also pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

Then a 36-year-old woman was stabbed at East 42nd Street and First Avenue at 10:55 a.m. He is also in critical condition at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

The suspect was arrested at East 46th Street and First Avenue. Two knives were recovered.

Detectives are trying to determine the connection between the stabbings, but officials say the suspect caused disputes with all three victims.

He seemed to choose his victims at random.

“He just walked up to them and started attacking them with the knives,” Detective Chief Constable Joe Kenny said.

The suspect has eight prior arrests, and Mayor Eric Adams said “there is a real question as to why he was on the street.”

The suspect is believed to have serious mental health issues, the mayor said. A taxi driver witnessed one of the stabbings and called the police.

Adams said the driver’s quick action led to the suspect’s arrest and likely prevented further violence.

“These random attacks left two innocent victims dead and another fighting for her life,” Kenny said. “We have one suspect in custody and are not looking for others at this time.”

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