Man fatally kills 4 relatives and wounds 2 officers in Queens attack, police say

The New York Police Department has reported that four family members were tragically killed in Queens during a stabbing rampage early Sunday morning. Additionally, another person in the home and two officers were injured during the incident.

According to NYPD Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey, police received a call from a young girl at 5:10 a.m., notifying them that her cousin was carrying out the brutal attack on their family members. Officers straightly arrived at the Far Rockaway residence to intervene.

Upon arriving, two NYPD officers encountered the suspect, who was later confirmed to be a family member of the victims, in the driveway. The suspect was leaving the residence and had luggage with him. The officers stopped him to ask a few questions, engaging in friendly conversation for approximately 10 seconds. Suddenly, the suspect brandished a knife and attacked the officers, stabbing one in the neck and striking the other in the head, according to Maddrey.

One of the officers then drew his weapon and shot the suspect, Courtney Gordon, aged 38. Gordon was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead upon arrival, as stated by the police. 

Police have reported that additional officers were dispatched to the residence where they discovered an 11-year-old girl lying lifeless in front of the house. She didn't survived her injuries.

Law enforcement tried to enter the house to assist the remaining victims, but were hindered by a fire that had been deliberately set in the living room. The New York City Fire Department arrived at the scene and successfully extinguished the flames.

According to Maddrey, the NYPD Chief of Detectives, it is believed that the suspect ignited a couch on fire before fleeing the residence.

Further investigation led officers to discover four more individuals in the two rear bedrooms. Tragically, three of these victims, a 12-year-old boy, a 44-year-old woman, and a man in his 30s, lost their lives as a result of the attack, as reported by Maddrey.

A 61-year-old woman sustained severe injuries from multiple stab wounds and is presently in critical condition, receiving medical treatment at a local hospital, according to Maddrey.

Authorities recovered a common kitchen steak knife at the scene, which was utilized to harm the police officers. No other weapons have been recovered, and the motive behind this heinous act remains unknown.