D.A. Bragg Announces Prison Sentence Of Randy Santos For Murder Of Unhoused Men In Chinatown

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the prison sentence of RANDY SANTOS, 31, to 40 years-to-life in prison for the murder of four unhoused men and the attempted murder of a fifth man during three attacks in Chinatown, and the attempted murder of a sixth man in a separate attack eight days earlier in Chelsea. On February 19, 2026, a New York State Supreme Court jury convicted SANTOS of four counts of Murder in the First Degree, one count of Attempted Murder in the First, one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree.

"The chilling murders committed by Randy Santos shook New York City," said District Attorney Bragg. "He displayed an appalling disregard for the lives of his victims, who were completely defenseless and unable to protect themselves. Unhoused individuals deserve the same level of safety as anyone else, and I hope the resolution of this case serves as a reminder of the work that remains in protecting and supporting our most vulnerable residents."

As proven at trial, between approximately 1:30 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on October 5, 2019, SANTOS attacked five sleeping, unhoused individuals in Chinatown. In the first attack, SANTOS observed Anthony Manson sleeping on the sidewalk outside of 17 East Broadway. The defendant left and returned a short time later carrying a metal bar and fatally struck Mr. Manson in the head approximately seven times.

Immediately following the attack on Mr. Manson, SANTOS crossed the street to 2 East Broadway, where he approached three men sleeping next to each other on the sidewalk.

SANTOS struck the sleeping group multiple times with the same metal bar, walked away, and returned a few minutes later to strike the group three more times, killing Nazario Abdelardo Vazquez Villegas and Florencio Moran Camano, and seriously injuring 49-year-old David Hernandez.

After the attack at 2 East Broadway, the defendant abandoned his weapon and crossed the Bowery, where he observed Cheun Kok sleeping against a building near Doyers Street. SANTOS retraced his steps to retrieve the metal bar, then he approached Mr. Kok and struck him in the head three times. Eyewitnesses to the attack called 911, and SANTOS fled down Doyers Street carrying the weapon over his shoulder. Police officers quickly responded to the scene at 2 Bowery and found Mr. Kok had succumbed to his injuries.

While securing the scene, police officers encountered Hernandez as he stumbled toward the ambulance on-site. The victim was immediately rushed to a local hospital with serious physical injuries. Simultaneously, officers of the 5^th Precinct apprehended the defendant after observing him with the metal bar in the vicinity of Mulberry and Canal Streets.

Following his arrest, SANTOS was identified as the perpetrator of a similar attack on September 27, 2019. In that incident, SANTOS approached an individual sleeping on a bench near the waterfront at Chelsea Piers and repeatedly struck him in the head and neck. The defendant then attempted to throw the victim over a railing into the river.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Alfred Peterson, Patrick Nelligan, and former Assistant District Attorney Rafaela Belizaire under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Hammer (Bureau Chief) and Executive Assistant District Attorney Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistants Drew Halpern, Grace Shrestha, and Jamie Winslett, and Investigative Analyst Dalia Zuckermann assisted with the case.

D.A. Bragg thanked Detectives Scott Williams, Nikita Marie-Whatley, Michael Knorr and retied Detectives Andrew Oliver and John Santiago.

Defendant Information:

RANDY SANTOS

Bronx, NY

Convicted:

• Murder in the First Degree, a class A-1 felony, four counts
• Attempted Murder in the First Degree, one count
• Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 40 years-to-life in state prison

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