A 37-year-old man remained in critical condition Thursday after he was stabbed inside a Chelsea residence serving the blind and physically disabled, police said.
The victim was knifed in the stomach around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday inside the building on West 23rd Street near Seventh Avenue, authorities said. The structure houses Selis Manor and the Associated Blind Foundation.
Emergency responders transported the man to Bellevue Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, according to NYPD officials. No arrests had been made as of Thursday afternoon.
Background
The residence serves as a home for visually impaired and physically disabled individuals in one of Manhattan's most densely populated neighborhoods. Selis Manor has long provided housing and support services for New Yorkers with disabilities, according to community advocates familiar with the facility.
Police responded to the scene after receiving reports of the stabbing Wednesday night. Officers found the victim suffering from a stomach wound and immediately called for EMS personnel.
The building is located within the NYPD's 13th Precinct, where overall felony crime has decreased by approximately 6 percent this year compared to the same period last year, department statistics show.
The Investigation
NYPD detectives have been working to piece together the circumstances leading up to the attack. Authorities have not yet determined a motive or identified any suspects in connection with the stabbing.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the building and canvassing the area for witnesses who may have seen the incident or suspicious activity prior to the stabbing, according to police sources.
It remained unclear Thursday whether the victim himself was blind or physically disabled. The housing facility declined to comment on the incident when reached by reporters.
Key Takeaways
- Victim, 37, stabbed in stomach inside Chelsea residence for the blind and disabled
- Incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday at West 23rd Street near Seventh Avenue
- Man taken to Bellevue Hospital where he remains in critical condition
- No arrests made; police have not identified any suspects
- Motive remains under investigation
What's Next
NYPD detectives continue their investigation into the attack, working to identify the perpetrator and determine what led to the stabbing. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact local police or submit tips anonymously.