A tragic occurrence unfolded in Brooklyn over the weekend when a man slashed his daughter and three nieces with a meat cleaver before being shot by NYPD officers. The 49-year-old man, identified as Longqian Chen, is reported to be bipolar and schizophrenic, according to a NYPD source cited by the New York Daily News. Chen, who was shot once in the head and twice in the chest, survived his injuries after undergoing surgery at Maimonides Medical Center where he is now in stable condition.
The harrowing incident took place yesterday morning, and the quick thinking of the 11-year-old niece, who hid and dialed 911, enabled the police to respond to the scene. Despite not knowing her exact address, officers traced the phone and were directed to the home on 84th St. near 17th Ave. in the Bensonhurst area, where they found the suspect armed with a bloody cleaver, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said yesterday, as reported by the New York Daily News.
Upon arrival, officers encountered Chen's 12-year-old son, who led them into the home where they were faced with a chilling scene: Chen aggressively wielding the cleaver. According to Commissioner Tisch's statement obtained by the New York Post, Chen ignored numerous commands to drop the cleaver, and as he advanced towards the officers, they discharged their weapons, hitting him thrice.
While a motive for the attack remains undetermined, sources told the New York Post that Chen had previously been hospitalized for his mental condition, and that the family was aware of his struggles with mental health. The four children, who suffered various degrees of injury, were taken to the same medical center as Chen; and while none of their injuries were classified as life-threatening, the 13-year-old girl was reported to be most gravely injured.
