Probe Into Why Suspect in 76-Year-Old's Subway Shove Death Was Released From Psychiatric Hold
Mayor Zohran Mamdani ordered a review of Bellevue’s psychiatric evaluation and discharge protocols after police said the suspect was released hours before the killing.
- On Thursday, 32-year-old Rhamell Burke pushed 76-year-old Ross Falzone down the stairs at a Chelsea subway station around 9:30 p.m. Falzone died at Bellevue Hospital early Friday morning from a traumatic brain injury, fractured spine, and fractured rib.
- Police encountered Burke acting erratically outside the 17th Precinct stationhouse Thursday afternoon, where one officer defused the situation. Officials transported him to Bellevue Hospital for psychiatric evaluation and released him after about one hour, roughly five hours before the fatal shove.
- Falzone, a retired special education teacher on the Upper West Side, held a doctorate degree from Columbia University. His sister, Donna Falzone, described him as "a great guy, great brother and uncle."
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced an investigation into Bellevue Hospital's psychiatric discharge protocols following the attack. Authorities arrested Burke for murder on Friday at Penn Station, where a judge ordered him held without bail.
- Burke had been arrested four times since February, including for assaulting a Port Authority officer. Despite these prior incidents, officials had granted him supervised release before the fatal subway attack occurred.
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Man accused of shoving victim to his death at NYC train station
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Rhamell Burke stood in front of a judge Saturday, smiling as he faced second-degree murder charges for allegedly shoving 76-year-old retired teacher Ross Falzone down the stairs at the 18th Street Station. Prosecutors say it was an unprovoked attack. His defense lawyer asked for medical and psychiatric care. Burke was arrested [...]
Mamdani orders inquiry into suspect’s release after man dies in subway attack
The victim, Ross Falzone, landed on his head at the bottom of the stairs and suffered a traumatic brain injury, a fractured spine and a fractured rib after a stranger rushed forward and pushed him, police said.
Man charged in subway shoving attack was released from psychiatric evaluation hours earlier: Officials
Officials said Rhamell Burke was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation and quickly released just hours before he allegedly shoved a man down a flight of subway stairs in Chelsea.
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