On Tuesday morning, a prisoner died at the Rikers Island jail. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani immediately posted a message on X about the death. He wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the death of a New Yorker in City custody at a jail on Rikers Island early this morning.” He added, “My thoughts are with his family and loved ones as they grieve this loss.”
I am deeply saddened by the death of a New Yorker in City custody at a jail on Rikers Island early this morning. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones as they grieve this loss.
We do not yet know the cause of death, but we do know that too many New Yorkers have died on…
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) August 25, 2026
The Mayor did not name the prisoner in his post. He said the cause of death was unknown. He promised an investigation into the circumstances. But he also used the moment to push his goal of closing the jail. He claimed too many people have died there. He called the facility inhumane.
Per the Daily Signal, the unnamed prisoner was quickly identified as 41-year-old Clarence Woodward. Woodward was a convicted murderer. He had killed Jose Miranda, a father of two, at a Bronx laundromat in 2024. Woodward was found unresponsive in his cell at 5 a.m. on Tuesday.
The family of the victim was shocked by the Mayor’s words. Jose Miranda was hacked to death with a meat cleaver on Aug. 8, 2024. Surveillance video showed him sitting peacefully when Woodward attacked him. Woodward had a long criminal record with nearly 30 arrests before this killing.
The guy standing up with the knife in his hand is who you’re mourning? pic.twitter.com/tHk3CQQHBh
— ℙ’ (@OfAthenry) August 28, 2026
Marisol Miranda, the victim’s mother, spoke to the New York Post on Thursday. She said the Mayor’s post felt like a slap in the face. “That’s not fair. That’s not fair at all,” she told reporters. She said she needed the Mayor to talk about her son. “He was killed,” she said.
Angel Miranda, the victim’s younger brother, also shared his pain. He said the Mayor should have mentioned the family first. “He could have paid his regards but acknowledged us too,” Angel said. He noted they lost a family member who can never be replaced.
Dude attacks a shop owner with a meat cleaver and of course you side with the attacker.
Makes perfect sense.
— Just Jenn (@ZoeLightly) August 26, 2026
The Daily Signal reported that Woodward had only been out of state prison for a month. He allegedly attacked Miranda and then a second man sleeping in the laundromat. The Mayor’s statement drew criticism from many people online.
The Daily Signal notes that this reaction fits the Mayor’s known views. The outlet says his ideology treats “criminals are the real victims.” This mindset sees crime as a result of societal inequality. It blames the system rather than the individual.
Yet no sympathy for the innocent hard working residents getting pushed down subway steps and dying ? YOU and @GovKathyHochul only care about criminals and illegals. STFU already. You are nothing but a bad tik tok actor.
— Robin jack (@proudmomjac) August 26, 2026
Mamdani has stated he wants to close Rikers Island. He uses deaths at the facility to argue for its shutdown. The Daily Signal reports he is part of a larger plan to abolish prisons. This goal is shared by the Democratic Socialists of America. They believe crime stems from bad systems.
Commie Mamdani is “deeply saddened’ that a guy who murdered a guy with a meat cleaver had a medical emergency in jail.
The communist wave of suicidal empathy extends far beyond the Lindsay Clancy Clan.
We cannot have leaders who weep for murderers. WTF are we doing? https://t.co/681DI1oO1J
— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) August 27, 2026
The Mayor did not mention the victim’s family in his tribute. He focused entirely on the deceased prisoner. He did not express regret that Woodward would not face a trial. The post has been seen by over 4.6 million people.
The Mayor chose to mourn the man who killed a father of two, while ignoring the family left behind.
