NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- A 43-year-old mother was killed and her two children were critically injured in a "brutal" hammer attack in Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon, police said as they charged the alleged assailant with murder and other crimes.
Police responded to a 911 call of an assault in progress inside the bedroom of a home at 531 52nd St. in Sunset Park at around 1:50 p.m.
Police were able to quickly apprehend a man attempting to leave the building, according to the NYPD.
Responding officers headed to the second floor, where they discovered the three victims with serious injuries.
"It appears those injuries were caused by a hammer attack," Chief of Patrol John Chell said during a news conference.
All three victims were taken to NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, where the woman was later pronounced dead. She was identified as Zhao Zhao.
"Her 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter are fighting for their lives," Chell added.
Police said the three-bedroom apartment was occupied by three different families.
The alleged attacker, Liyong Ye, lived in one room with his 9-year-old son while the mother lived in a different room with her children.
Ye was charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
It's unclear what led up to the attack. An investigation remains ongoing.
Related
Related
Related
