NEW YORK (AP) — A disturbing chain of events unfolded in Far Rockaway, Queens, on Sunday morning. The police reported that a man stabbed his own family to death, resulting in the deaths of four people, including two children. The incident took a turn when the man attacked two responding officers.
The aftermath of the violent rampage left a tragic mark on the quiet neighborhood of Beach 22nd Street. One neighbor described how they awoke to the sound of gunshots and saw a young girl running without shoes, seeking help. The young girl had managed to call 911 reporting that her cousin had stabbed and killed her family members.
The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Courtney Gordon from the Bronx, was visiting family at the scene when the violence ensued. When the officers approached him, he engaged them in conversation before suddenly attacking them with a knife. One officer, a 28-year veteran, was forced to shoot and kill Gordon in self-defense. Inside the home, officers found an 11-year-old girl, a 12-year-old boy, a 44-year-old woman, and a man in his 30s, all dead from stab wounds. Additionally, a 61-year-old woman was critically injured and taken to the hospital.
Prior to the attack, the suspect had set a couch by the front door on fire, forcing the police to wait for firefighters before they could enter the premises. Neighbors reported hearing arguments outside the home the night before, adding to the sense of unease surrounding the tragedy.
The devastating impact of the incident was felt deeply in the community, with families being evacuated from their homes due to the fire. The heartbreaking loss of life, especially of the children, has left a profound impact. It was revealed that one of the children who lost their life was a close playmate of a neighbor’s young daughter.
These tragic events have underscored the heroism displayed by the responding officers. While one officer suffered a laceration to his face and is recovering, the other officer was released from the hospital, greeted by a supportive line of his colleagues. The president of the Police Benevolent Association acknowledged the difficult day, emphasizing the loss of multiple lives and the devastating impact of the incident on all involved. The 61-year-old woman remains in critical condition.
The investigation revealed that the suspect had a prior arrest for strangling someone in a domestic incident in the Bronx. This tragic incident in Far Rockaway has left the community reeling and searching for answers in the wake of such senseless violence.