Questions remain after death of 8-year-old in Queens stabbing spree

JAMAICA, Queens (PIX11) – Questions remain as to why a 20-year-old man allegedly went on a stabbing spree in Queens on Thursday.

The incident happened at an apartment at 94th Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica around 5:15 p.m., police said.

The 20-year-old allegedly stabbed to death his 8-year-old half-brother before using the same knife on his father and stepmother, according to police. In the end, police shot and killed the 20-year-old when he allegedly refused to drop the knife.

Police are still gathering evidence at the apartment building where the tragedy unfolded.

The family was supposed to be headed out for a Fourth of July celebration on Thursday. Instead, the mother and father walked into their apartment and found their 8-year-old bleeding out from multiple stab wounds.

Police said the 8-year-old's half-brother went on a violent rampage with a butcher knife and allegedly stabbed the mother in the back. 

Surveillance video obtained by PIX11 News showed the mother running down the street bleeding and pleading for help. Meanwhile, back at the apartment, the father tried to wrestle the knife away from his 20-year-old son but could not.

When officers arrived, they ordered the son to put the knife down, but he allegedly refused, and one of the officers fired his weapon, according to police. The 20-year-old was later pronounced dead at a hospital, police said.

Police believe the incident started as a domestic dispute that escalated quickly. Now the family is left mourning the deaths of two sons lost in a matter of hours.

A baby girl was also in the apartment during the incident but was not hurt, police said.

Police have not released the identities of the family members involved.