Hell's Kitchen

Woman Knifed in Chest, Man Stabbed in Back in Unprovoked Manhattan Attacks 30 Minutes Apart

A 33-year-old man who lives in the area has been arrested, but authorities haven't shared any information on a possible motive

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Two people in their 20s were stabbed just 30 minutes — and a few blocks — apart in Manhattan in what authorities say appear to have been unprovoked attacks. Now a 33-year-old man faces charges in the still-mystifying case.

Both victims were in Hell's Kitchen when they were stabbed Wednesday evening, according to police. First, a 28-year-old man was stabbed in the back on West 50th Street around 7:20 p.m. His attack ran off toward Ninth Avenue.

Thirty minutes later, cops say the same man allegedly stabbed a 27-year-old woman in the chest on 47th Street. Then he ran off, again heading in the direction of the West Side Highway, according to officials.

The NYPD said early Thursday that 33-year-old Nickolas Okeefe, who lives on 48th Street, had been arrested on charges of assault and criminal possession of a weapon. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney, nor was a possible motive shared.

The stabbed woman was the more seriously injured of the two victims, but police say she is expected to survive.

An investigation is ongoing.

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