On the morning of April 7th, 2025, an unsettling scene unfolded inside a home in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. A family was devastated by an unthinkable act of violence when a man, later identified as 49-year-old Lung Chen, allegedly attacked several children with a large meat cleaver. The attack was reported to authorities by an 11-year-old girl who had the presence of mind to call 911, despite being under direct threat from her uncle.
The Call for Help
At approximately 10:15 AM, the 11-year-old girl made a desperate 911 call, reporting that her uncle had stabbed her. Unfortunately, she was unable to provide the exact address where the incident was taking place, but she gave enough information for emergency responders to trace her location. Quick-thinking personnel at the 911 call center used advanced technology to pinpoint the address from the phone’s location, which led the officers to 1671 84th Street in the 62nd precinct.
The dispatcher’s fast response was crucial, and officers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were swiftly deployed to the scene. Upon arriving, they were met by another uninjured child who let them into the home. However, the sounds of screams soon drew their attention to another door, where they discovered the full scale of the attack.
The Violent Encounter
When the officers reached the apartment, they heard the distressing cries of the victims coming from behind a door. Without hesitation, they began forcing their way into the apartment, kicking down the door to rescue the victims inside. It was there they encountered Lung Chen, holding a bloodied meat cleaver in hand. The scene was chaotic—blood stained the floor and splattered the walls. The officers immediately ordered Chen to drop the weapon, but he refused to comply. Instead, he moved towards the officers, prompting them to act decisively. Two officers fired their weapons, striking Chen and ending the immediate threat.
The response was quick and deliberate. Officers then proceeded to administer medical care to the victims—four young girls who were found in various stages of distress from stab wounds. Thankfully, EMS arrived moments later to assist, and the victims were provided with emergency medical care right at the scene. Chen was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
The Victims and Their Survival
The victims of the attack were four young girls, aged 16, 8, and two others. Despite the brutal nature of the attack, all the girls were expected to survive, thanks to the fast actions of the NYPD officers and EMS teams. The swiftness with which the responders acted undoubtedly played a role in saving their lives. It was noted by Commissioner Jessica Tisch that had the officers and EMS personnel not acted so swiftly—arriving within minutes of the call—it could have been a much darker story.
During the investigation, it was revealed that one of the young children, in addition to calling 911, had taken the brave step of alerting a neighbor about the attack. The neighbor then called the police, further speeding up the process of the response. These children, especially the 11-year-old girl who made the call while hiding in a room, demonstrated remarkable courage under the most terrifying circumstances.
The Attacker and Investigation
The attacker, Lung Chen, was known to be related to the victims, though the exact nature of his relationship to them is still under investigation. What is known is that he has a history of mental illness, but there was no prior indication of any history of domestic violence or prior incidents at this address. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, though authorities are looking into all possibilities. At this stage, investigators are working to understand what triggered such a violent outburst and whether any underlying mental health issues played a role in this tragic event.
Chen was found in possession of a large cleaver, and another knife was recovered from a different room in the apartment. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have vowed to provide more details as they uncover the full scope of the incident.
A Community’s Gratitude and Heroic Actions
In the aftermath of the attack, Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised the quick and coordinated efforts of all involved in the response, from the 911 call center personnel to the officers who took immediate action. She specifically mentioned the bravery of the children, especially the 11-year-old girl who called 911, as well as the young boy who alerted the neighbor.
The NYPD’s Chief of Department, John Shell, and other law enforcement officials were also quick to acknowledge the courage and effectiveness of the responding officers. The police and EMS teams are credited with making split-second decisions that undoubtedly saved lives. The Commissioner expressed her gratitude by visiting the officers at the hospital shortly after the incident to personally thank them for their heroic actions.
The entire event serves as a testament to the importance of quick thinking and effective collaboration in crisis situations. Despite the horror of the attack, the combined efforts of first responders and the bravery of the children involved helped avert an even greater tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the community remains shaken by the event, but also deeply appreciative of the efforts that helped to save the lives of four young girls. The NYPD’s response to the attack has been lauded as a clear example of how seconds matter in moments of extreme danger, and how every life-saving action counts in such dire circumstances.
