New York City, NY – Rhamell Burke, 32, has been charged with second-degreemurder following the unprovoked shoving death of 76-year-old retired teacher Ross Falzone at the 18th Street subway station in Chelsea. The incident occurred on Thursday, May 7, 2026, just hours after Burke was released from a psychiatric evaluation at Bellevue Hospital, sparking an immediate investigation by city officials.
Surveillance footage captured the "chilling" moment Burke allegedly approached Falzone from behind and pushed him down the subway stairs around 9:30 p.m., as stated in the initial tweet. Falzone sustained a traumatic brain injury, fractured spine, and broken rib, and was pronounced dead early Friday morning at Bellevue Hospital.
Burke, a former Broadway dancer who performed under the name Rhaamell Burke-Missouri, had been taken to Bellevue Hospital earlier that Thursday by police after reportedly acting erratically. He was released approximately one hour later, around 4:40 p.m., despite having four prior arrests since February, including for assault.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has ordered an immediate investigation into Bellevue Hospital's handling of Burke's psychiatric evaluation and subsequent discharge. "I am horrified by the killing of Ross Falzone and the circumstances that led to it," Mayor Mamdani said in a press release. He added that "New Yorkers deserve answers" and directed NYC Health + Hospitals to conduct a comprehensive review of their psychiatric evaluation and discharge protocols.
Falzone was remembered by friends and family as a "dear, gentle man" and a retired social worker for special needs children. The tragic event has intensified scrutiny on the city's mental health care system and protocols for individuals with a history of erratic behavior and prior arrests. Burke was arraigned on Saturday, May 9, and held without bail.
