Homeless attacker charged for random stabbing of Times Square tourist after history of mental health issues

Joe Marino, Amanda Woods
·3 min read
Cyril Destin, 62, was charged with second-degree assault, as well as fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor, in connection to the caught-on-video Saturday evening knifing of a 36-year-old Pennsylvania woman at West 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue, police said.
Cyril Destin, 62, was charged with second-degree assault, as well as fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor, in connection to the caught-on-video Saturday evening knifing of a 36-year-old Pennsylvania woman at West 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue, police said.

A homeless repeat offender who senselessly stabbed a tourist near Times Square over the weekend had an extensive history of mental health issues and arrests but remained on the streets.

Cyril Destin, 62, was charged in connection with the shocking caught-on-video knifing of a 36-year-old Pennsylvania woman who was strolling with her daughter Saturday evening at West 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue, police said Monday.

Cyril Destin, 62, was charged with second-degree assault and fourth-degree weapon possession in the unprovoked attack, cops said. Obtained by NY Post
Cyril Destin, 62, was charged with second-degree assault and fourth-degree weapon possession in the unprovoked attack, cops said. Obtained by NY Post

But the alleged attacker — who lives at a homeless shelter across the street from the deli — continued to slip through the cracks despite an extensive history as an “emotionally disturbed person,” including erratic, sometimes destructive behavior at the shelter, sources said.

Last December, he allegedly chucked a chair halfway through a window at the shelter, shattering the glass, the sources said.

Authorities needed to force him into treatment at Bellevue, since he wouldn’t go voluntarily, the sources said.

In April 2022, he cursed at staff and verbally threatened them, as well as responding cops, according to the sources.

The victim, a woman from Pennyslvania who was walking with her teen daughter, was hospitalized in stable condition. Obtained by The NY Post
The victim, a woman from Pennyslvania who was walking with her teen daughter, was hospitalized in stable condition. Obtained by The NY Post

And in December 2019, he was sitting out in the cold with swollen feet when he reported having hallucinations, the sources said.

Destin has also been arrested 14 times over the past 20 years, with the most recent bust on July 30, 2022, for criminal mischief, law enforcement sources said.

In that arrest, he allegedly smashed a glass shelter at a bus stop, according to a complaint against him, but the case was not bail eligible, so he was released.

Destin has racked up 14 prior arrests over the past 20 years, sources said. New York Post
Destin has racked up 14 prior arrests over the past 20 years, sources said. New York Post

His rap sheet, which dates back 20 years, also includes arrests for menacing, petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal trespass and theft of service, according to the sources.

Shocking video of the unprovoked attack on Saturday shows Destin using a walker to exit Port Gourmet Deli at the corner and loitering outside the storefront before lunging at the unsuspecting victim with a large knife — in front of her teen daughter and another woman.

The three women are seen backing away from Destin, who calmly returns to his seat outside the storefront with the knife on display on his lap.

Destin also has an extensive history as an “emotionally disturbed person,” sources said. Obtained by The NY Post
Destin also has an extensive history as an “emotionally disturbed person,” sources said. Obtained by The NY Post

About two minutes later, two police officers approach Destin, get him to drop the knife and place him in handcuffs, the footage shows.

The injured tourist was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was treated for a stab wound to the chest.

He was taken to Bellevue for treatment.

Destin hadn’t been arraigned on Monday evening as he remained hospitalized.