Horror in New York: young father stabbed to death on the street near his home

Jesse Howard, a 30-year-old young father, was stabbed to death on the street around the corner from his home in Harlem (NYC).

According to the NYPD, Howard was stabbed twice in the chest and cut in the face at W. 134th St. and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. around 2 a.m. Sunday. Paramedics took him to Harlem Hospital, but they could not save him.

“I just can’t believe he’s gone,” he told Daily News her friend Brielle George. “Everyone knew him because of his smile. He loved everyone.”

Howard had a young daughter and recently got a job at an American Eagle store. “He was a very hard-working man,” George added. “He was taking a good path.”

It is unclear what the motive for the attack was and whether Howard was the target. His friends said he was working to get his life back in order after spending some time in prison. Police sources said he had previously been arrested for drug possession and robbery.

NYPD’s 32nd Precinct, where the crime occurred, has seen an increase in homicides this year, with eight victims as of Oct. 22 compared to seven in the same period last year.

Across New York City, homicides are down more than 12% this year, with 319 as of Oct. 22, compared to 363 victims at the same time last year.

No arrests have been made or suspects identified. Anyone with information should call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) and in Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Also through the website crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or by text message to 274637 (CRIMES), followed by TIP577. All communications are strictly confidential.

A recent NYPD report warned that fatal stabbings have increased 29% this year in the city compared to before the pandemic (2019). Attacks with knives have become more frequent in various scenarios: streets, buildings, homes, buses, Metro, parties, schools and even commercial establishments and ATM areas.