Four homeless men killed in brutal attacks in New York City

NEW YORK -- Four homeless people were beaten to death while they were sleeping and another severely injured in or near the Chinatown neighborhood here earlier in the morning, New York Police Department (NYPD) said Saturday.

A 24-year-old man, also believed to be homeless, was identified as the suspect of the bloody assaults and has been taken in custody, police said.

The victims were found in three locations in or around the Chinatown, following a 911 call to report one of the attacks shortly before 2 a.m.

Investigators found a metal object was used to strike the victims' heads, yet the tragedy "appears to be, right now, just random attacks," NYPD Deputy Chief Michael Baldassano said at a press conference on Saturday.

Two witnesses told police that the suspect was wearing a black jacket and blank pants and "struck the victim numerous times in the head" before fleeing, NYPD Assistant Chief Stephen Hughes told media.

The police have asked the public to provide any information related to the appalling incident.

"I would ask ... anyone who may have seen something last night, or even in a few days in the past, or may have themselves been a victim of a crime like this, that they please contact the police," Baldassano said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed his shock over the attacks and condolence to the victims on Twitter around noon.

"We're stunned and horrified by this senseless act of violence against the most vulnerable members of our community," de Blasio tweeted. "We're keeping the victims and their loved ones in our hearts tonight."