Queens man charged with murder and arson after deadly family attack in Flushing
QUEENS, NY – A bloody scene unfolded inside a Smart Street home in Flushing on October 2 when a 27‑year‑old man allegedly stabbed his mother‑in‑law to death, slashed his teenage brother‑in‑law dozens of times and set multiple fires before two knives were recovered, court papers show.
Wei Sheng Chen, 27, of Smart Street in Flushing, was arraigned on a felony complaint charging him with murder in the first degree, two counts of murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, arson in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Queens Criminal Court Judge Glenda Hernandez remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court October 9. If convicted on the top count Chen faces up to life in prison.
Prosecutors say Chen shared a residence with his wife, her mother Qui Jin Shi, 50, and the wife’s 17‑year‑old brother. Between approximately 3:50 p.m. and 4 p.m. on October 2, Chen allegedly stabbed Shi multiple times in the torso and arms. Shi was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.
The complaint alleges Chen then stabbed the 17‑year‑old in the face, chest, back and head, inflicting roughly 20 stab and slash wounds that required more than 100 staples and stitches, including a wound extending from the victim’s eyelid to the middle of his cheek. Prosecutors also allege Chen used alcohol to ignite fires at three locations on the first floor of the home. Investigators later recovered two knives at the scene.
The NYPD’s 109th Detective Squad conducted the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Nicole Rella of the Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Alexa Ornelas, under the supervision of Bureau Chief John Kosinski and Deputy Bureau Chiefs Karen Ross and Jonathan Selkowe, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.
Ad: Save every day with Amazon Deals: Check out today's daily deals on Amazon.
Court records show Chen faces a broad array of violent felonies and is being held pending further proceedings following the arraignment and complaint filed by the Queens District Attorney’s office.
Key Points
- Wei Sheng Chen, 27, was arraigned on multiple charges including first‑degree murder and arson after an attack at a Smart Street home in Flushing on October 2
- The defendant allegedly killed his 50‑year‑old mother‑in‑law Qui Jin Shi and stabbed a 17‑year‑old relative roughly 20 times; two knives were recovered at the scene
- Chen was remanded and is due back in Queens Criminal Court on October 9 with the top count carrying a potential life sentence