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LES stabbing sends 3 men to the hospital as NYPD search for the top hat-wearing suspect
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 30, 2026
Modified Sep 30, 2026
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Joshua Armstrong Unsplash
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 30, 2026
Modified Sep 30, 2026
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Police are looking for a man in a black top hat who stabbed three people on the Lower East Side early Wednesday, leaving them all hospitalized with injuries.
NYPD officials said the attack happened around 1:15 a.m. in front of a deli near the intersection of Bowery and Delancey streets. Authorities say the suspect got into an argument with a 26-year-old man over the food the victim was eating, then stabbed him in the abdomen with a sharp object before removing his fanny pack with credit cards inside, according to police.
When two other bystanders intervened, the suspect also stabbed them, police said. A 21-year-old man was stabbed in the left shoulder, and a 19-year-old man was stabbed in the left arm.
Officials said all three victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition. The suspect, who police said appeared to be in his 40s, had dreadlocks and was wearing a black sweater with white lines on the arms, black pants and black gloves, besides the top hat. Police said he ran west on Delancey Street.
Police said it was unclear whether the suspect knew any of the victims. Officers did not find the weapon at the scene.
Felony assaults in the 5th precinct, which includes much of southeastern Manhattan, have remained relatively stable so far this year — as they have across the rest of the city, according to NYPD data.
Charles Lane contributed reporting.
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Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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