A quiet Brooklyn neighborhood turned into a crime scene Sunday morning when a man wielding a meat cleaver allegedly stabbed four young girls inside a Bensonhurst home. The shocking attack unfolded around 10:30 a.m. on April 6, 2025, prompting a swift and heroic response from the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
Officers responded to a 911 call placed by an 11-year-old girl, who told dispatchers that she and her siblings had been attacked by their uncle. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the call as “heartbreaking” and emphasized the child’s bravery in the face of imminent danger.
Officers Confront Armed Suspect, Save Lives
When officers arrived at the residence, they could hear the children’s screams from inside the home. According to Tisch, officers “immediately began forcing their way in.” Upon entry, police encountered 49-year-old Long Chen standing near the entrance, covered in blood and holding a large meat cleaver.
Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Chen refused to comply and lunged at the officers. NYPD officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect and neutralizing the threat. Authorities recovered two bloody knives from the scene, including the cleaver and another knife found in a different room.
The four victims, all girls aged 8, 11, 13, and 16, were found with serious slash and stab wounds. “At this time, all four children, thank God, are expected to survive,” said Tisch. “This could have ended very differently. The fast, decisive action from our officers absolutely saved their lives.”
The Brave Actions of an 11-Year-Old
While the attack was ongoing, an 11-year-old girl managed to escape to a separate room and call 911, providing vital information to dispatchers. According to NYPD Chief of Department John Chell, her courage was instrumental in saving her siblings’ lives.
“We know there were five children. Four were hurt, and a young man bravely went to the neighbors to alert them to call us. The 11-year-old who went to that room and made that call—quite heroic,” Chell said.
This quick thinking helped authorities locate and respond to the scene in mere minutes, preventing what could have been a far more devastating outcome.
Investigation Underway as Family Copes with Trauma
The suspect, identified as Long Chen, was transported to the hospital in critical condition. While his exact relationship to the victims is still under investigation, he is believed to be a relative of the children. Family members revealed that Chen had a known history of mental illness, but no previous domestic violence incidents had been reported at the residence.
Authorities are still working to determine the motive behind the attack. “Obviously, the motive behind this horrific attack is still under investigation, and we will provide more information when we have it,” Chell stated.
At the time of the assault, the children’s mother was reportedly not home. The neighborhood remains shaken by the incident, with many residents expressing shock that such violence could occur in their community.
A Community in Shock and a Call for Mental Health Awareness
The brutal nature of the attack has raised concerns not just about public safety but also about the importance of mental health support. Neighbors described the family as quiet and unassuming, making Sunday’s attack all the more difficult to comprehend.
Authorities continue to stress the importance of early intervention in cases involving individuals with known mental health struggles. As the community recovers, support services are being offered to help the affected children and their family members cope with the traumatic event.
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NYPD Praised for Swift Action Amid Tragedy
The NYPD’s quick response and ability to neutralize the suspect before more harm could be done has earned praise from city officials and community members alike. EMS personnel were also credited for providing rapid care, helping to stabilize the injured girls and ensure they received immediate medical attention.
As more details unfold, one fact remains clear: the bravery of a young girl and the decisive response from first responders prevented a tragedy from becoming even worse.
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