In a horrifying incident that shook the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, New York City, at least four people, including two children aged 11 and 12, lost their lives in a stabbing rampage early Sunday.
The alleged perpetrator, identified as 38-year-old Courtney Gordon, set fire to a residence, attacked two police officers with a kitchen knife, and was ultimately shot to death by one of the officers.
Veterans Confront Rampaging Attacker
The violence unfolded around 5 a.m. when a 911 call reported a domestic violence incident, with a young female stating that her cousin was killing family members. Two veteran police officers responded to the disturbance and were attacked in the driveway of the home by Gordon, who was carrying luggage from the residence.
The officers, a 28-year NYPD veteran and a 16-year department veteran, sustained injuries during the attack. One was slashed in the face, and the other suffered a cut to the head. Despite their injuries, the 28-year veteran managed to draw his weapon and fatally shoot the assailant, halting the rampage.
The chaotic scene included a house on fire, multiple victims, and a suspect on a mission, as described by Patrick Henry, president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association, during a news conference.
The suspect, Gordon, had a prior arrest related to a strangulation domestic violence incident in the Bronx.
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Loss of an 11-Year-Old Girl to a NYC Stabbing Rampage
Tragically, the victims included an 11-year-old girl who was found stabbed outside the home and pronounced dead at the hospital.
Additional fatalities occurred inside the residence, with a 12-year-old boy and a man in his 30s among the victims. A 61-year-old woman was critically injured and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital.
The New York City Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire set by the suspect, hindering immediate entry to the house.
Once inside, officers discovered the grim aftermath, with three people fatally stabbed in two back bedrooms.
The motive behind this brutal attack remains under investigation, and the names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of their relatives. Gordon, who lived in the Bronx, was visiting relatives in Queens during the rampage.
Despite the tragic outcome, praise was extended to the injured officers, with Henry commending the veteran officer for demonstrating “unbelievable skill” in stopping the threat despite being wounded.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event, questions linger about the circumstances leading to such a heinous act.
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