A devastating incident unfolded in Brooklyn's Bensonhurst neighborhood when a man stabbed four young girls on a peaceful Sunday morning.
Breitbart reported that the incident started at about 10:30 a.m. An 11-year-old girl, one of the victims, exhibited bravery and quick thinking by hiding in a room to call 911 despite suffering injuries. Her call alerted the police to the violent scene unfolding at their home.
As NYPD officers approached the house, the alarming sound of children screaming echoed from inside, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
Meanwhile, an uninjured young boy, another sibling, managed to alert a neighbor about the ongoing attack, further rallying assistance.
Without hesitation, officers forced their way into the house to confront the attacker. Here they encountered Long Chen, the man responsible, armed with a blood-stained meat cleaver. The scene inside was harrowing, with blood visible on the floor and walls, painting a gruesome picture of the events that had transpired.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch provided details of what transpired next: "Officers ordered the suspect, 49-year-old Long Chen, to drop his weapon repeatedly, but he refused and lunged at officers." This escalation forced the police to take decisive action, resulting in Chen being critically injured by police gunfire.
The officers’ prompt response and actions inside the home were critical. "At this time, all four children, thank God, are expected to survive. But this could have ended very differently," Tisch remarked, acknowledging the potential for a far worse outcome had the responders not acted as quickly and efficiently as they did.
Investigators at the scene found two knives, including the meat cleaver used in the attack, and another knife in a different room, which speaks to the premeditated nature of the assault.
The four girls, aged between 8 and 16, were found with serious injuries but were all expected to survive, a sliver of hope in an otherwise grim situation.
The children’s mother was not at home during the attack, and none of the children had suffered violence in the household before this incident, making the attack particularly shocking.
Chen is believed to be a relative of the children, and family members have indicated that he has a history of mental illness, potentially providing context to his devastating actions.
Chen’s motivation for the attack is still under investigation, leaving many questions unanswered. However, the courage displayed by the young victims, particularly the 11-year-old girl and the uninjured boy, has been widely praised.
NYPD Chief John Chell commented on their bravery: "A young man who so bravely went to the neighbors to alert the neighbors to call us, and also that 11-year-old who went to that room and made that call quite, quite heroic on their behalf."
The community and the city at large are left reeling from the shock of such violence touching the lives of innocent children.
The investigation continues, and many hope that it will shed light on this tragic event, bringing some degree of understanding and closure to the affected families and the community.