Mother killed, children critically injured in brutal hammer attack in NYC 

A mother was killed and her two children were critically injured after a suspect beat them with a hammer in Brooklyn on Wednesday. 

The attack took place just before 2 p.m. on 52nd St. between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, according to preliminary details from the investigation. 

When police arrived at the scene, they found the 43-year-old mother, identified as Zhao Zhao, and her 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter suffering from head trauma inside their second-floor apartment.

They were all rushed to nearby Lutheran Hospital l in critical condition. However, the mother died of her wounds soon after arriving. The two children were transferred to NYU Langone Hospital, where they remain in critical condition. 

“The girl has some movement, but the boy is unconscious. He took a good beating, as far as I understand,” State Assemblyman Lester Chang told The New York Post. 

The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Liyong Ye, was arrested by police in connection to the attack after he was found with blood all over his body. He was charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. 

According to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, Ye lived in the same three-bedroom apartment as the victims with his 9-year-old son. However, the two families were not related. Ye does not have any prior arrests and has no history of mental health issues. 

The motive for the attack remains unknown. However, police sources said Ye and Zhao had gotten into an argument before the man beat her and her children with the hammer that was recovered at the scene. Police speculate that the fight might have been over rent. 

 Police are launching an investigation into what they are calling a “brutal” attack in order to piece together what happened. 

“My dear wife, I owe you an apology,” Zhao’s husband wrote on the Chinese social media platform WeChat. “I hope you can bless our child to get through this difficult time. My kids, Dad just hopes you can get through this,” he added.