New York, NY — A quiet Sunday morning in Brooklyn was shattered by a horrific act of violence, as a man wielding a butcher knife attacked four young girls inside a residential building on 84th Street in Bensonhurst. One of the victims, a child, is currently fighting for her life in critical condition.
According to the New York City Police Department, the suspect has been identified as 49-year-old Lun Chang Chen, the uncle of the victims. The attack occurred around 10:15 a.m., when Chen allegedly entered the home and began stabbing the girls, all of whom are between the ages of 8 and 16.
The youngest of the children, an 11-year-old girl, managed to escape into a room and lock the door behind her. From there, she dialed 911 and informed dispatchers that her uncle had attacked her and her sisters. Responding officers arrived at the scene within minutes.
When police reached the apartment, they heard screams coming from behind a locked door. Upon forcing their way inside, they found Chen standing with a blood-covered knife in his hand. Officers quickly subdued and arrested him without further incident.
All four girls were rushed to nearby hospitals with varying degrees of injuries. As of Sunday afternoon, one of the victims remains in critical condition, while the others are being treated for serious but non-life-threatening wounds.
The scene was described as “gruesome” by emergency responders. Neighbors and witnesses reported seeing the children being carried out on stretchers, their clothes soaked in blood. Several bystanders attempted to render aid before paramedics arrived.
Authorities have not yet confirmed a motive for the attack, but initial reports suggest that a family dispute may have escalated into violence. Investigators are working to piece together the events leading up to the incident and have stated that the suspect has no known history of mental illness or prior violent offenses.
The NYPD has charged Chen with multiple counts of attempted murder, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. He is currently in custody and awaiting arraignment.
The community of Bensonhurst has been left in shock by the brutality of the attack. Local officials have called for increased mental health and domestic violence support services, emphasizing the need for vigilance even within families.
Mayor Eric Adams addressed the city on Sunday evening, calling the incident “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” He added, “No child should ever experience such horror, especially in what should be the safety of their own home.”
The investigation is ongoing.
