NEW YORK– Three people were stabbed to death Monday morning in Manhattan, and the incidents appear to be linked, police say.

A 51-year-old suspect is in custody after being found with blood on his clothing. He is reportedly homeless and a resident of the Bellevue men’s shelter on East 30th Street.

It all unfolded when a 36-year-old construction worker was fatally stabbed at 444 W. 19th St. just before 8:30 a.m. He was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

Then, a 68-year-old man who was fishing was stabbed at 500 E. 30th St. just before 10:30 a.m. He was also pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

Then, a 36-year-old woman was stabbed at 10:55 a.m. at East 42nd Street and First Avenue. She was at New York Presbyterian Hospital in critical condition. But she later died.

The suspect was taken into custody at the corner of East 46th Street and First Avenue. Two knives were recovered.

Detectives are trying to determine the connection between the stabbings, but authorities say the suspect provoked arguments with the three victims.

He seemed to choose his victims at random.

“He approached them and started attacking them with knives,” said Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny.

The suspect has already been arrested eight times and Mayor Eric Adams said “there’s a real question as to why he was on the street.”

The suspect suffers from serious mental health problems, the mayor said. A taxi driver witnessed one of the stabbings and called the police.

Adams said the driver’s quick action led to the suspect’s arrest and likely prevented further violence.

“These random attacks left two innocent victims dead and another fighting for his life,” Kenny said. “We have one suspect in custody and we are not looking for others at this time.”