BROOKLYN, NY — A 49-year-old man was shot by police in Brooklyn on Sunday morning after allegedly stabbing four young girls, including his nieces, inside a home, authorities said. The NYPD identified the suspect as Long Chen, who was critically wounded after charging at officers with a blood-covered meat cleaver.
Key Points
- Police say an 11-year-old girl called 911 after she and her sisters were attacked.
- Officers shot the suspect, identified as the girls’ uncle, after he allegedly lunged at them with a cleaver.
- Four children, aged 8 to 16, were stabbed and are expected to survive.
Officers forced entry after hearing children screaming
The call for help came from an 11-year-old girl inside the home, who told dispatchers that her uncle was stabbing her and her siblings. NYPD officers responded to the address and, upon arrival, forced their way inside after hearing screams.
Inside, police found a man, later identified as Chen, holding a meat cleaver. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the cleaver was covered in blood. Officers ordered him to drop the weapon, but he refused and allegedly lunged at them, prompting officers to open fire.
Multiple weapons recovered at the scene
Two knives were also recovered from the scene in addition to the cleaver. Authorities did not immediately confirm whether those weapons were used in the attack. The four victims—girls aged 8, 11, 13, and 16—suffered serious slash wounds but are expected to survive, Tisch said.
“The motive behind this horrific attack is still under investigation,” said NYPD Chief John Chell. “We will provide more information when we have it.”
Investigation continues as suspect remains hospitalized
Chen was transported to a nearby hospital where he remains in critical condition. The relationship between Chen and the victims was confirmed as familial, with police identifying him as the children’s uncle.
Officials said the department’s internal affairs bureau is also reviewing the police shooting, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.
Police say an 11-year-old girl’s desperate 911 call led to a chaotic and violent scene that left four children stabbed and their uncle critically wounded.