An unhinged, dangerous man named Deqon Massiah, who was caught stalking a group of musicians in Times Square holding a long, wicked-looking knife, was released without bail under supervision by a Manhattan judge Thursday evening.

Unbelievably, prosecutors recommended that the 22-year-old unstable man be released and the judge agreed, according to the New York Post. He lamely stated that the “highest level of monitoring is appropriate” for Massiah. The man is yet one more example of judges and prosecutors allowing dangerous criminals back out on the street, putting everyone at risk.

A photographer caught pictures of Massiah in Times Square with the knife, wearing a red shirt with the word “sly” written on the back of it. He wore that same shirt for his court appearance.

In the pictures, the man gripped a long-bladed knife in his hand as he crept up behind the musicians at the Crossroads of the World. He even had the audacity to put his left hand on the shoulder of one of the members of the apparently Romanian troupe while holding the deadly weapon in his other hand down by his side.

Knife-wielding Times Square maniac Deqon Massiah released without bail https://t.co/ym4TBJTnxp pic.twitter.com/5cyHhSE12o

— New York Post (@nypost) July 14, 2023

I am so shocked. What are the odds.

— David in Sherwood (@MadderNachos) July 14, 2023

Photographer Richard Moore saw Massiah and the knife and quickly snapped pictures of him. He told the New York Post that the deranged man was seen standing on a granite bench flashing the knife and screaming on Broadway between West 43rd and 44th streets around 10 am.

Moore’s pictures show in stark relief Massiah holding the six-inch knife as he casually walked up behind the musician.

“I thought, ‘Oh, this isn’t very good,” Moore said in an understatement on Wednesday. “I noticed he had this knife in one hand and he got close enough to one of the musicians to put his other hand on the musician’s shoulder.”

Fortunately, Massiah did not use the blade, although he could have easily done so. He reportedly went back to the bench and the shocked photographer called 911.

Wait for it – he will be back in court after killing someone.

— Drew Harley (@Dew_Harley) July 14, 2023

The NYPD showed up 12 minutes after the call was placed. They reportedly approached Massiah from behind and took him into custody.

While the police were arresting him, prosecutors noted that Massiah allegedly told the officer, “Get the f*** off me, they were coming after us.”

“Police got him from behind … I don’t know if they grabbed the knife or he dropped it,” Moore told the New York Post.

DA office recommended release based on what evidence that this individual is not a threat to himself or the public?
Was there a psychological review?
Who is doing this “highest level of monitoring” and how?
How is the DA’s office and Judges not responsible for later crimes?

— Victor (@VictorConfeite1) July 14, 2023

“It was dealt with very peacefully and quickly,” the photographer added. “They took him down safely for him and others.”

The man was charged with menacing, harassment, and criminal possession of a weapon, according to police. He reportedly has no criminal history in New York, but he is on probation for a sex offender case in Georgia. The judge still let him go anyway.

The frightening development follows a new Siena College poll that found a whopping 41% of New Yorkers have “never” been more fearful for their own safety. The majority of respondents claimed that crime is a “very” or “somewhat” serious problem in the Big Apple.

61% of NYers Worry About Being a Crime Victim; Half Worry About Their Safety in Public Places; 36% Felt Threatened by Stranger’s Behaviorhttps://t.co/eY8ogrdvjN pic.twitter.com/BPKnZPG3jE

— SienaResearch (@SienaResearch) July 12, 2023

Almost one in 10 New Yorkers claim they have either been physically assaulted or were the victim of a burglary over the last year, according to the poll.

Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday arrogantly dismissed the poll results, blaming the media for reporting on crime, which he charged “Plays on your psyche.”

(Video Credit: FOX 5 New York)

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