A shocking subway killing in Manhattan is sparking outrage after police say a repeat offender was released from a psychiatric evaluation just hours before allegedly shoving a 76-year-old teacher to his death down subway stairs in an unprovoked attack.
Rhamell Burke, 32, had reportedly been taken to Bellevue Hospital Thursday afternoon after allegedly acting erratically near an NYPD precinct while carrying a stick pulled from a trash can.
According to police, Burke was brought to the hospital around 3:30 p.m. as an emotionally disturbed person. But despite concerns about his behavior, he was reportedly released a little more than an hour later — still wearing his hospital bracelet.
Roughly five hours after being discharged, police say Burke allegedly attacked complete stranger Ross Falzone at a subway entrance in Chelsea.
Authorities said Falzone, a retired teacher described by neighbors as kind, cultured, and active, was walking near West 18th Street and Seventh Avenue around 9:30 p.m. when Burke allegedly began following him.
Investigators say surveillance footage showed the suspect trailing Falzone for about 30 yards before suddenly rushing toward him near the subway entrance.
Police allege Burke violently shoved the elderly man down the stairs leading into the No. 1 train station before fleeing the scene.
Falzone reportedly suffered catastrophic injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, spinal fractures, and broken ribs after landing headfirst on the stairs.
Emergency crews rushed him to Bellevue Hospital, where he died early Friday morning.
The horrifying case immediately triggered backlash over New York City’s handling of mental illness and repeat offenders.
A high-ranking NYPD source blasted the system after learning Burke had been released so quickly from psychiatric evaluation.
“This happens all the time,” the source reportedly said, calling the situation “a complete collapse” of the city’s mental health response.
According to police, Burke had already been arrested four times since February, including prior arrests for assaulting a Port Authority officer, burglary, resisting arrest, and another alleged random assault.
Despite the growing criminal history, Burke had reportedly been granted supervised release following one of his previous arrests.
Police tracked Burke down Friday afternoon on a subway platform at Penn Station after detectives recognized him from surveillance images connected to the attack.
Neighbors described Falzone as a gentle longtime Upper West Side resident who loved classical music, Lincoln Center performances, and spending evenings exploring the city.
“He’s just a helpless old guy,” one devastated neighbor said. “What a cowardly and idiotic thing to do.”
Another resident recalled hearing classical music drifting from Falzone’s apartment and described him as a friendly regular New Yorker who was always out enjoying life.
Following the killing, Zohran Mamdani called for an immediate investigation into how Burke was evaluated and released so quickly from Bellevue.
“I am horrified by the killing of Ross Falzone and the circumstances that led to it,” the mayor said in a statement while demanding a full review of psychiatric discharge protocols.
As of Friday evening, Burke remained in police custody awaiting charges.
Being a retired NYC teacher, Falzone was no doubt a liberal democrat. In keeping with that I’m certain he would have supported poor rhamell’s release from ANY KIND of confinement and total leniency from the NYC courts….AND I’M CERTAIN THE NYC PROSECUTOR’s OFFICE AND ANY ASSIGNED JUDGE WILL DO EXACTLY THAT!!!!