From New York to Los Angeles and smaller cities in between, we often pass the homeless. While we may sympathize with their plight, few know their names.
Dozens of people drawn together by the senseless fatal beatings of four homeless men in New York Chinatown didn’t allow them to leave the earth without being remembered.
They attended a vigil in the men’s honor on Monday.
Three of the four have been identified as 55-year-old Nazario A. Vazquez Villegas, 83-year-old Chuen Kwok and 49-year-old Anthony L. Manson. A fifth victim is recovering in the hospital with severe injuries.
A woman who identified herself only as Kim says she has known Chuen for decades.
“I feel so bad for him. He was always saying, ‘Thank you, Ms. Kim,’” she told the New York Post. “I knew him when I was a little girl. My relative was his friend.”
Kim often offered food to him whenever she saw him. “I wish the city had helped him. It’s too late now,” Kim said.
ABC7 reports the city has pledged to increase its homeless outreach.
“While our city mourns this horrible and senseless loss of life, I want to remind New Yorkers that the city has experts available to provide support for anyone facing mental health challenges,” First Lady Chirlane McCray said to ABC7. “We’re committed to providing mental health services for all New Yorkers, and our mental health outreach teams stand ready to provide support to this community and anyone seeking help.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio says teams with access to licensed clinicians, psychiatrists, and substance abuse counselors will engage the homeless on the streets.
Randy Santos who was found with a 15 pound metal pipe has pleaded guilty to the beatings.
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