New York News Roundup: Mangione Pleads Guilty in Federal Court, NYPD Fatally Shoots Knife-Wielding Man, Synagogue Attack Draws Hate Crime Charges and More

Published Aug 17, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent New York news: Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court to two charges in the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson; a Bronx man was charged with hate crimes after disrupting Shabbat services at Central Synagogue; NYPD officers fatally shot a knife-wielding man who advanced on them on the Lower East Side; Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $35 million in funding for public sector electric vehicle chargers; and State Police are asking for the public’s help locating a missing 16-year-old from Orleans County.

Mangione pleads guilty in federal court in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan on Friday, Aug. 14, to two federal charges — interstate stalking resulting in death and stalking through use of interstate facilities resulting in death — in the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He told the court “I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan” and described 3D-printing a gun and attaching a silencer. (The New York Times, CNN, PEOPLE, NBC News, Scripps News, Aug. 14-16, 2026)

Bronx man charged with hate crimes after Central Synagogue attack

Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx, was charged with hate crimes after disrupting Shabbat services Friday night, Aug. 14, at Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue and East 55th Street in Manhattan. Police said he spit at and head-butted a 65-year-old security guard and struck a 63-year-old woman, cutting her lips and right forearm. (The New York Times, Newsday, CNN, ABC7 New York, New York Post, The Forward, Aug. 14-16, 2026)

NYPD officers fatally shoot knife-wielding man on Lower East Side

NYPD officers fatally shot Wei Chan, 54, on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 16, after he advanced on them with a butcher knife at 126 Ludlow St. near Rivington St. on the Lower East Side. Officers responding to a 9-1-1 assault call around 4 p.m. followed a trail of blood up a staircase and encountered Chan descending with the knife, and after repeated orders to drop it he continued advancing. (NBC New York, New York Daily News, PIX11, ABC7 New York, CBS News, Aug. 16, 2026)

Hochul announces $35 million for public sector EV chargers

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $35 million in funding for public sector entities to install and operate Level 2 electric vehicle chargers through the new Charge Ready NY — Large Public Sector Project program administered by NYSERDA. The program funds state agencies and authorities, local governments, and state and city university systems to install chargers on publicly owned land. (Oneida Dispatch, Troy Record, Aug. 16, 2026)

State Police seek help locating missing 16-year-old from Orleans County

New York State Police are asking for the public’s help locating Carmella Rowe, a 16-year-old from Orleans County last seen on Aug. 13. She is described as 5-foot-4, 160 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. (WHAM 13, Orleans Hub, Aug. 16, 2026)

For more on the Empire State, see the New York guide.