In a horrific incident that has shocked the city, a New York City man stabbed four family members to death, including two children aged 12 and 11, before setting their house on fire and stabbing two responding officers. The man, Courtney Gordon, 38, was eventually killed by one of the officers he had stabbed seconds earlier.
The tragedy unfolded in Queens, where Gordon had been living with his aunt, Christine Watson, after his marriage collapsed. According to Gordon’s sister, he had been suffering from depression and mental illness. She had tried desperately to get him help, but was unsuccessful due to his status as an adult.
Gordon’s sister also blamed the mental health system for failing her brother. She said that her aunt had taken him in out of sympathy, believing that he was trying to turn his life around. However, the situation took a deadly turn as Gordon’s demons consumed him.
The police have released photos of the knife used by Gordon to kill his family members. DailyMail.com cameras captured the heartbreaking scene as emergency workers carried away the victims in body bags, with blood still visible on the front door of the house.
NYPD Chief Jeff Madrey provided some details about the incident, stating that the officers initially responded to a 911 call from a young female inside the house. The girl claimed to be a cousin of Gordon and said that he was killing her family members.
As the officers arrived at the scene, they encountered Gordon outside the house carrying a suitcase. In a brief encounter, he drew a knife and stabbed one officer in the neck and chest, while striking the second officer in the head. The veteran officer was able to shoot and kill Gordon, but not before the devastating loss of lives.
The victims, including a 12-year-old boy, an adult man, a 44-year-old woman, and an 11-year-old girl, were found dead inside the house. Another 11-year-old girl was fatally stabbed at the entrance and later died at a nearby children’s hospital.
The incident is believed to be a domestic dispute, and the investigation is ongoing. The tragedy highlights the urgent need for better mental health support and intervention to prevent such devastating acts of violence.