Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
'Possessed' Teen Stabs 3 Siblings With A Butcher Knife
By
Billy Parker
Published Aug 20, 2009
Modified Aug 20, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Billy Parker
Published Aug 20, 2009
Modified Aug 20, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A teenager in The Bronx yesterday was arrested after stabbing his three younger siblings because he was "seeing demons" and was "zombielike." 17-year-old Nelson Santos was at home in his family's Claremont apartment when he picked up a butcher knife and attacked his two brothers Miguel and James, ages 13 and 6, and his 9-year-old sister Ashley. Santos's mother and a neighbor fetched by one of the brothers eventually wrestled the teenager down and took the knife from him before cops arrested him and took him into psychiatric care. Neighbors told the Daily News that Santos practiced black magic and John Flores, the 19-year-old man who intervened, told reporters, "He said the world was going to end so he had to kill his brothers and sister." Ashley Santos only suffered superficial wounds and 13-year-old Miguel is in stable condition after being stabbed in the chest five times. The youngest brother, James, is in critical condition at Columbia-Pres after being stabbed in the back.
Tagged
claremont
demons
domestic dispute
possessed
siblings
stabbing
teenagers
the bronx
zombie
Billy Parker
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
November has 3 meteor showers and the best chance to see Uranus
"Even in the city, some of these meteors will be bright enough that you'll be able to see them."
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Nov 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Runners, and throngs of spectators, kick off the five-borough New York City Marathon
The race starts on Staten Island, and snakes through Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx before ending in Central Park in Manhattan.
By
Walter Wuthmann
News
Runners, and throngs of spectators, kick off the five-borough New York City Marathon
The race starts on Staten Island, and snakes through Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx before ending in Central Park in Manhattan.
By
Walter Wuthmann
Calif. judge cites 'mountain of evidence' ICE racially profiled Latinos, drawing NY notice
By
Herb Pinder
Mamdani says Trump will 'immediately' grant visa to Ghanaian mom of slain Bronx teen
By
Christian Santana
and
Giulia Heyward
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .