A violent altercation broke out at the Randall’s Island migrant shelter in New York on Friday night, following a stabbing incident that heightened existing tensions among the residents. The brawl, which occurred around 8 pm, involved about half a dozen migrants from Africa and South America, according to the New York Post.
The conflict began when a 25-year-old African migrant was stabbed in the left shoulder by a member of a rival group. The injured man was promptly taken to Harlem Hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition. The stabbing triggered a larger fight among the migrants, necessitating the deployment of additional law enforcement officers to manage and quell the violence.
Josue Delon, 19, and his brother Moises, 27, were arrested in connection with the stabbing and are facing assault charges. Additionally, an 18-year-old involved in the ensuing brawl was detained, issued a summons for disorderly conduct, and subsequently released.
The Randall’s Island Shelter, established in August of last year to accommodate New York’s growing population of illegal immigrants, has been plagued by violent incidents. In January, a fatal stabbing occurred when a migrant attacked his girlfriend. April saw another significant altercation resulting in five men being charged with assault; one man was stabbed, and four security guards were injured. Another April incident involved a man biting a security guard during a dispute mediation attempt.
The ongoing violence at the shelter underscores the challenges faced by New York City in managing the complex dynamics and tensions within the migrant population. As the shelter continues to provide housing for thousands, maintaining order and ensuring safety for both residents and staff remains a pressing issue.
