Full Breakdown
Teen Arrested for Times Square Stabbing Over TikTok Trend
5/8/2026, 1:33:03 AM
Fatal Stabbing Near Times Square
On Monday night at approximately 11:30 p.m., 39-year-old Leonides Baez was stabbed multiple times while sleeping on a bench outside the Burger & Lobster restaurant on West 43rd Street, between Broadway and Sixth Avenue, near the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Three strangers approached; a 17-year-old male delivered fatal wounds to the face, torso and back. Baez was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he died.
Timeline and Data Summary
The stabbing occurred Monday night. Thursday, police stopped the teen after he jumped a turnstile at Stillwell Avenue station and found a scalpel on his person. He is a 17-year-old male, charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon, and placed in custody. Authorities say two accomplices remain at large, making three suspects. Baez’s last known address was a New York City shelter, though other reports list Worcester, Massachusetts. The recovered scalpel has not been confirmed as the murder weapon.
Background
Police say the attack was motivated by a TikTok “mess with crackheads” challenge that encourages assaults on unhoused or drug-addicted people for online posting. A similar fatal assault on a homeless man in Binghamton was reported the week before, indicating a pattern of socially-mediated violence.
Official Statements & Responses
NYPD officials called the attack “related to a social media trend of recording assaults on unhoused individuals.” They confirmed the teen’s arrest, the scalpel find and the murder and weapons-possession charges. No video has been located, and police continue to seek the two accomplices. Tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Criticism & Opposition
Leonides Baez’s sister called him “a loving person” and asked “Why? What was the point?” Her remarks underscore the personal loss and confusion surrounding the motive behind the attack.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources spell the victim’s name as Leonides Baez or Leonidas Baez. Police have not confirmed the scalpel as the murder weapon, and no video has been found. Though three suspects are cited, only the teen is in custody; the two alleged accomplices remain at large.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He was such a loving person,” — Sister of Leonides Baez
- “Why? What was the point?” — Sister of Leonides Baez
- “The motive for the brutal violence was “related to a social media trend, of recording such attacks of unhoused or drug-addicted individuals on the street, for the purpose of social media account postings,” cops said.” — NYPD spokesperson
- “The suspect added he and his two accomplices picked the victim at random as part of an online trend that encourages "messing with crackheads," according to police sources.” — Police source
- “The teen is not believed to have recorded the slaying, police sources say.” — Police source
What’s Next
Police still seek the two alleged accomplices, and the teen’s arraignment is set for Manhattan Criminal Court. NYPD says it will review TikTok content for similar threats.
