Police officers in Brooklyn shot and seriously injured a man who allegedly attacked several children related to him with a meat cleaver and a knife during an apparent mental health crisis.
NYPD brass called the incident “horrific,” stating that it unfolded at 10:15 a.m. on April 6 in the vicinity of 17th Avenue and 84th Street in Bensonhurst, within the confines of the 62nd Precinct. During a frantic 911, an 11-year-old girl told the operator that her uncle, 49-year-old Longqian Chen, had gone on a rampage attacking her and her three siblings.
The child did not know her address, but authorities were able to use the phone’s location to trace where the call was coming from.
Upon arrival, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported that cops and EMS heard screams and kicked open the door to discover Chen welding the bloody instruments, with blood splattered on the floor and walls.
“The officers ordered the man to drop the weapon several times. He refused and advanced towards them. Two officers discharged their firearms, firing seven total rounds between them and striking the subject, ending the threat. This encounter is captured on body-worn camera,” Tisch said. “Inside the apartment, officers found four female victims, aged 16, 13, 11, and eight, all had serious stab wounds, and responding officers and EMS provided emergency medical care on scene before the victims were moved to Maimonides Hospital.”
Police say a fifth child also resided at the location but fled either during or sometime before the incident unfolded; the youngster, a boy, ran to a neighbor’s home and urged them to call for help.
Meanwhile, cops are still investigating Chen’s relationship to all those in the household, currently believing him to be a father to at least one of the children and an uncle to the rest. EMS also rushed him to Maimonides Medical Center, where he is in critical condition.
“I saw a guy come out on a stretcher. He wasn’t moving, his shirt was all bloody and he was handcuffed to the stretcher. His eyes were rolling back in his head,” said eyewitness Humberto Hureta, 23. “I never saw anything like it.”
NYPD Chief of Department John Chell told amNewYork that Chen lived at the home and there have been no mental health or domestic disturbance calls at that location in the past.
Still, the family told police that Chen has been suffering from mental health issues. Police have yet to determine a motive for the attack.
Despite the horrific scene, Tisch saluted the officers, 911 personnel, EMTs and others — including the young victim who called for help — who helped save the children and bring the crisis to an end.
“Here is the bottom line: Right now, we have four children who are still alive because of the quick thinking and decisive efforts of the NYPD officers and EMTs. I want to thank and commend all involved: responding officers, EMS, the 911 call center personnel, hospital staff, and everyone who worked together to save these girls’ lives,” Tisch said. “These are true heroes, and they did an exceptional job today.”
The NYPD Force Investigation Division, which examines all police-involved shootings, is now looking into the case.
Updated with new details on April 6 at 3:20 p.m.
