A violent Rikers Island inmate with a deadly past slashed two correction officers in a horrifying ambush, union officials revealed — the latest in a long string of assaults by a man described as a “one-man crime wave.”
Authorities say Sundance Oliver, 30, used a ceramic scalpel to attack the guards Wednesday afternoon after setting a fire inside his cell in the North Infirmary Command. The blaze filled the protective-custody unit with smoke, forcing officers to rush in and evacuate inmates.
“As they tried to save lives, this inmate pounced,” said Benny Boscio, president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association. “Without any warning, he began slashing our officers across their heads and faces. It was one of the most violent assaults on staff we’ve seen in years.”
One officer required 17 stitches for a deep gash across his scalp. Another needed seven stitches for a facial wound.
“They’re lucky to be alive,” Boscio said bluntly.
A History of Violence
Oliver isn’t a newcomer to chaos — he’s built his life around it.
A known member of Brooklyn’s Loop Gang, Oliver joined the crew when he was just 12 years old, according to law enforcement sources. By his late teens, he had stacked up arrests for robbery, attempted murder, and weapons charges.
In 2022, authorities say he unleashed a deadly shooting spree across Brooklyn and Manhattan that left two people dead and a 96-year-old bystander wounded in her wheelchair. Charged with multiple counts of murder, Oliver landed in Rikers — but his reign of terror didn’t stop at the jailhouse gates.
Correction officials report he’s carried out more than 40 assaults on staff, set multiple fires, and even tried to choke one female officer with a chain. “He’s a ticking time bomb,” one insider told us.
Union Outrage and Political Fallout
Thursday’s attack has sparked renewed outrage from union leaders, who are demanding answers about how someone as dangerous as Oliver remains housed in a facility already overwhelmed by violence.
“This is the same inmate who has attacked more than 50 officers and civilians in just two years,” Boscio said. “What is it going to take before we stop pretending Rikers is safe?”
Boscio also took aim at progressive state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who has pushed to shut down Rikers and move inmates into smaller facilities around the city.
“What’s Mamdani’s plan for people like Oliver?” Boscio demanded. “Where do you put someone who’s already shown he’s willing to kill?”
Mamdani’s campaign declined to comment.
DOC Promises Action
A Department of Correction spokesperson praised the injured officers for their “courageous response” and pledged to ensure Oliver faces the “fullest extent of the law.”
“These officers responded to a fire that threatened lives,” the spokesperson said. “Two of them were seriously injured by someone with a long history of violence. We will work closely with prosecutors to make sure justice is served.”
For now, Oliver remains in custody — but union leaders warn he poses an ongoing threat.
“Until lawmakers wake up,” Boscio said, “it’s only a matter of time before we’re talking about another officer who doesn’t make it home.”
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Absolutely disgusting that the liberal lawmakers allow violent criminals like this to continue hurting people! This violence scum should’ve been taken care of years ago!!!
There comes a time when criminal cancers need to be excised. Li suggest that we end this worthless criminal and put a conclusion to the cancer.
Back in the 60s and 70s that inmate would had already committed suicide, with help of course. Even other inmates would had put him down. Because inmates like him make it hard on the whole inmate population. But todays world are either crazy or just sissies. Afraid to do the right thing, put him down…
Are you kidding me?! This scumbag has been living on borrowed time! When are these human rights groups going to get the message? Our society has become so afraid to punish the guilty for fear that the human rights groups will defend this criminal. What about the rights of the officers who give their lives for criminals like him? And what about the poor 96-year-old who suffered from injuries inflicted on her while in a wheelchair? What about her rights??? He has been convicted of attempted murder on his record. What was wrong with the judge?/
I’m a humanist, therefore a liberal. And, I’m in absolute agreement that beasts like that should be sentenced to immediate death! Also, those who abuse and maim animals and children should not be spared, either. They all deserve immediate death!