NYC man fatally stabbed in random daylight attack as city on track to break 2021 violence rate

The New York Police Department confirmed that 35-year-old Nathaniel Rivers was fatally stabbed in a random Thursday attack. Suspect Franklin Mesa, 19, is charged with murder.

Nathaniel River's wife reportedly attempted to fight off Franklin Mesa, who is accused of fatally stabbing her husband in the Bronx on July 21. (Peter Gerber) Suspect Franklin Mesa is accused of fatally stabbing Nathaniel Rivers in the Bronx on July 21. (Peter Gerber) Two people embrace at the scene of the fatal stabbing. (Peter Gerber) Evidence at the scene of Nathaniel Rivers' fatal stabbing. (Peter Gerber) Evidence on the ground where Franklin Mesa allegedly stabbed Nathaniel Rivers. (Peter Gerber) NYPD officers examine the scene of the stabbing on Decatur Ave. in the Bronx. (Peter Gerber) Police examine evidence at the scene of Nathaniel Rivers' stabbing. (Peter Gerber) NYPD officers say Nathaniel Rivers and stabbing suspect Franklin Mesa did not seem to know each other. (Peter Gerber) Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for FOX Business and Fox News. Email tips to audrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants.

Officers responded to the attack on the 3200 block of Decratur Ave. in the Bronx just after 1 p.m. Thursday, where they located the victim, Nathaniel Rivers, a father of one, according to The New York Post. Authorities transported Rivers to a nearby hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his wounds.