UPDATE: A Bronx murder suspect, Kyron Randall, has died on Rikers Island, marking the 15th inmate death at the facility this year. Randall, aged 33, suffered an apparent allergic reaction while in custody, raising urgent concerns about safety at the troubled detention center.
The incident unfolded at approximately 12:10 p.m. on December 21, 2025, while Randall was housed at the George R. Vierno Center. Authorities report he became ill and was immediately provided medical assistance before being rushed to Elmhurst Hospital. Tragically, he was pronounced dead just before 1 a.m. on December 22.
Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie emphasized that “this matter will be thoroughly investigated,” extending condolences to Randall’s family. However, the specific cause of the allergic reaction remains undisclosed, further fueling scrutiny over conditions at Rikers.
Randall was arrested on June 30, 2023, charged with the murder of a 56-year-old man during an altercation inside their apartment building in Morrisania. The victim succumbed to his injuries after slipping into a coma, prompting authorities to upgrade Randall’s charges to murder.
Court records reveal that Randall had been in custody for nearly two years, with his trial initially set for February 2025 but repeatedly postponed. He was due back in Bronx Criminal Court for a conference on February 3, 2026. His death marks a grim milestone for Rikers Island, which has seen the highest number of inmate deaths since 2022, when 19 individuals died.
In compliance with policies and oversight agreements, the Department of Corrections has reported Randall’s death to multiple agencies, including the federal monitor for Rikers, Steve Martin, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
The future of Rikers Island remains uncertain as it faces federal receivership. Despite the city’s commitment to permanently close the facility by 2027, debates continue over the feasibility of this timeline given the rising inmate population and construction delays on community-based jails meant to replace Rikers. Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani has pledged to adhere to the closure law but faces significant challenges.
Criminal justice advocates, including Darren Mack from Freedom Agenda, are urging immediate action in light of Randall’s death. “We need urgent action to stop sending people to this death camp,” Mack stated, calling for investment in genuine community safety and the closure of Rikers.
As developments unfold, the eyes of the public remain fixed on Rikers Island, where the call for justice and safer conditions grows louder.
