NEW YORK, NY – In a chilling incident in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, quick action by emergency responders likely saved the lives of four children who were victims of a brutal attack on Monday morning. The chaos unfolded around 10:15 a.m. when an 11-year-old girl, wounded and frightened, managed to call 911 and report that she and her siblings had been stabbed by their uncle.
The young caller did not know her address, but police dispatchers utilized advanced technology to trace the call to a residence on 84th Street within the 62nd Precinct. Officers and emergency medical services (EMS) swiftly arrived at the scene, gaining entry to the building with the help of an uninjured child who led them to a critical point in the home.
Upon reaching a small vestibule with multiple doors, officers heard screams from behind one of the doors. They forced entry and were confronted by a man wielding a large blood-stained meat cleaver. Ignoring commands to drop the weapon, the suspect advanced toward the officers, prompting them to discharge their firearms. Seven shots were fired, subduing the threat.
Inside the apartment, officers discovered four young female victims, aged 16 and 8, suffering from severe stab and slash wounds. Immediate medical care was provided on-site before the children were transported to Maimonides Medical Center, where they are expected to survive.
The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Lung Chen Chen, was also treated at the scene and taken to the hospital in critical condition. His exact relationship to the children remains under investigation, but he is believed to be a relative.
Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised the rapid response and decisive actions of the NYPD officers and EMS personnel, crediting them with preventing a potential tragedy. She also commended the bravery of the children, particularly the 11-year-old who made the crucial call and another young boy who ran to alert a neighbor.
Chen’s motive is currently unclear, though family members have indicated he has a history of mental illness. No prior domestic violence incidents have been reported at the residence. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the attack.
In the aftermath, the community is left grappling with the shock of the violence that erupted within a seemingly quiet neighborhood. The heroism displayed by both the children and the first responders stands out as a beacon of hope amid the horror.