CHELSEA, Manhattan (PIX11) – An unprovoked shove at a Manhattan subway station on Thursday left a retired New York City teacher and father dead, according to police sources.

As a result of the death, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is looking into one Manhattan hospital’s handling of psychiatric care in connection with the death. As the suspect was allegedly released hours before the fatal shoving.

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The incident

Police officials say the victim, 76-year-old Ross Falzone, was passing through the 18th Street subway station in Chelsea when he was allegedly pushed down a flight of stairs by a man identified as 32-year-old Rhamell Burke.

The fall was ultimately fatal for Falzone. Emergency Medical Services took the victim to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, a fractured spine, and a broken rib and was later pronounced dead as a result of his many injuries, police sources tell PIX11 News.

Witnesses of the attack say it was unprovoked, and the victim never said one word to his attacker.

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Mamdani launches an investigation in NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue

Just hours before the attack, Burke, the alleged assailant, was taken to Bellevue Hospital by the NYPD for a psychiatric evaluation, according to the office of the mayor.

Burke remained at the hospital for approximately one hour before being discharged. Hours later, he allegedly pushed Falzone down the flight of stairs, according to officials. Burke is facing one charge of murder, according to court records.

“I am horrified by the killing of Ross Falzone and the circumstances that led to it. I extend my condolences to his loved ones,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “New Yorkers deserve answers. That is why I’ve directed NYC Health + Hospitals to conduct both an immediate investigation on what steps should have been taken to prevent this tragedy and a comprehensive review of their psychiatric evaluation and discharge protocols.”

A look into the suspect’s background shows he was no stranger to police, having been arrested at least four times, including a random attack on a Port Authority officer, according to court records.

PIX11 News reached out to NYC Health + Hospitals, and a spokesperson wrote in an email:

“We welcome this review, and we expect that it will find our care was appropriate.  NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is justly nationally recognized for its services for complex patients and all New Yorkers without exception.”

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.

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