In a tragic incident in Jamaica, Queens, an 8-year-old boy was fatally stabbed, and the suspect, a 20-year-old man, was shot and killed by police. The horrifying event unfolded on Thursday evening inside an apartment on 94th Avenue, stemming from what appears to be a domestic dispute.
According to police sources, the 29-year-old mother and 43-year-old father were out with their 8-month-old baby when they returned home to find the 20-year-old man attacking his 8-year-old half-brother with a butcher knife. The mother, who had been stabbed in the back, managed to escape the building around 5:20 p.m., bleeding and pleading for help. She ran to the corner and sought assistance from MTA police, who promptly called 911.
Officers arrived at the scene within minutes and entered the fifth-floor apartment. There, they encountered the suspect holding his father in a headlock with a knife to his throat. Despite repeated commands from the officers to drop the knife, the suspect did not comply. A 28-year-old officer then fired a single round, striking the suspect and saving the father’s life.
In a desperate attempt to save the 8-year-old boy, two officers rushed him to the hospital, as the ambulance was delayed. Tragically, the child did not survive. The mother and father, both injured in the attack, were taken to area hospitals and are expected to recover. The 8-month-old baby girl, also present in the apartment, was unharmed.
The suspect, who was believed to be the half-brother of the 8-year-old victim, was rendered aid by the officers and transported to the hospital, where he later died. The NYPD is investigating the incident, which they believe stemmed from a domestic dispute.
The scene was captured on police body cameras, providing crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation. NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell highlighted the quick and decisive actions of the officers, stating, “Just a reminder of being a New York City police officer, what they have to walk into and decisions they have to make quickly. And by making those decisions, they saved two lives tonight.”
The incident has left the community in shock. A small memorial with votive candles and a Stitch stuffed animal from the Disney movie “Lilo and Stitch” was set up in the lobby of the building. A building worker described the 8-year-old boy as full of energy and always speaking Spanish. The family, originally from the Dominican Republic, was known to be very nice.
Witnesses recounted the chaotic scene as medics and police officers responded to the emergency. Rosalyn Blair, a 34-year-old woman standing across the street, saw the suspect being restrained and loaded into an ambulance. She also saw a female officer holding the baby girl, who appeared unharmed.
Neighbors expressed their disbelief and sorrow over the incident. Vanessa Rivera, a next-door neighbor, described the boy and his parents as a happy and joyful family. She recalled the boy as a playful and loving child who adored his mother. “He was always joyful, a regular 8-year-old kid, always jumping around — so cute with his little glasses,” Rivera said. “He went to my son’s birthday party last year.”
Another resident, who identified himself only as Rex, was stunned by the violence. “I don’t know what kind of dispute this was but for a young man to kill an 8-year-old child is kind of reprehensible,” he said. “I’m an educator myself. It makes me kind of wary to want to stay here and live in this building and be around people like this.”
The officers involved in the shooting were taken to North Shore University Hospital for observation. The NYPD has asked the public to avoid the area surrounding 94th Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard due to the ongoing investigation.
This tragic event has left a deep impact on the community, highlighting the dangers and quick decisions faced by police officers in such critical situations. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life and grapples with the aftermath of this senseless violence.
Source: WABC, CBS New York, New York Daily News
