One of the victims of a stabbing rampage that left a Columbia student dead had only been in New York for 24 hours when he was knifed, according to reports.
Roberto Malaspina, was hospitalized but is expected to survive, his family told Italian media.
“All he said was he shouted, ‘Why me? Help,’” father Corrado Malaspina, a retired radiologist, told local Italian media.
“He has a wound to his side but he’s in a stable condition and not in intensive care. His life is not in danger but he’s been very lucky,” dad said from their hometown of Perugia, Italy. ”We have spoken with him on the telephone and thank God he is in good spirits.”
Malaspina, 27, was stabbed in the back and the abdomen on West 110th near Columbus Avenue. He was recovering at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital.
Just 20 minutes earlier, graduate student Davide Giri, 30, also from Italy, was stabbed in the stomach inside Morningside Park and later pronounced dead at the same hospital.
Vincent Pinkney, 25, of Manhattan, an ex-con with lengthy rap sheet and a reputed gang member, was awaiting arraignment Saturday on a slew of charges, including murder and attempted murder, for the bloodshed.
“This is terrible news which has left everyone shocked,” Malaspina family friend Maurizio Marello told local media.
“(Roberto) is not a tourist,” the father said. “He is there for research and we are trying to sort out going to see him with the help of the Consulate. “
The victims apparently did not know each other.
