13th Rikers death this year

An inmate from The Bronx who had been held at Rikers Island since July died Friday shortly after a judge granted him emergency release, his attorney said.

The death of Victor Mercado was the 13th in the beleaguered city jail system this year.

Mercado, 64, of Mott Haven, died at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens after spending the majority of the time since his arrest on gun charges in the Rikers infirmary, his attorney, James A. Kilduff, told The Post.

It is believed he died from COVID-19 after contracting the deadly bug at Rikers.

Kilduff said Mercado suffered from underlying health conditions and had been using a wheelchair recently.

The Department of Correction confirmed that Mercado died at Elmhurst at 12:39 p.m. Friday. His death appeared to be “medical in nature,” and the city medical examiner will determine the cause of death, the DOC said.

“I am heartbroken to learn of Mr. Mercado’s passing, and we mourn his loss together as a city,” DOC Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi said.