Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced an immediate investigation into NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue's handling of a psychiatric evaluation connected to the fatal assault of 76-year-old Ross Falzone in Chelsea on Thursday, alongside a broader review of psychiatric evaluation and discharge protocols across the public hospital system.
"I am horrified by the killing of Ross Falzone and the circumstances that led to it. I extend my condolences to his loved ones," said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "New Yorkers deserve answers. That is why I've directed NYC Health + Hospitals to conduct both an immediate investigation on what steps should have been taken to prevent this tragedy and a comprehensive review of their psychiatric evaluation and discharge protocols."
Mayor Mamdani directed NYC H+H to conduct a root cause analysis and a full internal review of NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Hospital's psychiatric evaluation procedures, with a particular focus on protocols related to psychosis, crisis assessment and discharge decisions.
The Mayor took the additional step of asking the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the handling of this specific psychiatric evaluation, as well as a broader review of similar cases at Bellevue, to determine whether existing protocols were followed and identify any gaps in the system.
In response to his request, effective immediately, NYSDOH agreed to launch a full-scale review of NYC H+H psychiatric evaluation and discharge procedures to ensure appropriate safeguards and protocols are in place and being followed. State officials will remain on-site throughout the investigation and work with hospital leadership to establish any necessary corrective actions.
According to preliminary New York City Police Department (NYPD) information, the alleged assailant - a 32-year-old-man - was brought on Thursday afternoon by NYPD officers to Bellevue hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. The individual remained at the hospital for approximately one hour before being discharged. Roughly five hours later, he allegedly pushed Falzone down a flight of stairs in Chelsea. The suspect is now in police custody.
