Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Murderous Stabbing Spree Suspect Claims He Was Set Up
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 14, 2011
Modified Feb 14, 2011
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
Jen Chung
Published Feb 14, 2011
Modified Feb 14, 2011
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
Maksim Gelman, the 23-year-old Brooklyn resident accused of killing four people and stabbing four during 28 hours of violence spanning Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, was booed outside the 61st Precinct in Sheepshead Bay. A crowd yelled, "Pig!" "Killer!" and "Rot in Hell!" Gelman yelled back, "Shut up, man!" And at the courthouse, Gelman told reporters, "This was a setup, man. This is bulls---."
Gelman was charged with four counts of second-degree murder, single courts of first-degree and second-degree assault, and three counts of first-degree robbery. According to authorities, Gelman's alleged crime spree included: Killing his mother's companion in their apartment early Friday morning in Sheepshead Bay; killing an ex-girlfriend and her mother Friday during the day (he first killed the ex's mother and then waited in her apartment to kill her); stabbing a driver and stealing his car; fatally striking a pedestrian; stabbing a livery cab driver and trying to steal his car at Eastern Parkway and St. Mark's Place; stabbing another driver and stealing his car in Crown Heights; and stabbing a subway passenger on a 3 train at Penn Station before being captured.
The Daily News notes that when Gelman was brought to the holding cells at the courthouse, "The mocking continued in the courthouse holding cells, where fellow prisoners shouted, 'Throw him in here with us!'" Gelman bragged, "You're in here for nickel bags - go look what I'm in here for!"
Gelman is no stranger to law enforcement authorities, but his previous offenses were not violent, with 10 arrests "since 2003, several times for graffiti-writing, but most recently, in January, for possession of crack cocaine," according to the NY Times. A neighbor said, "When I was little he kind of did bully me. He used to take my water guns and put in hot sauce and soap." Lately, Gelman's actions were more intense—the Times reports, "He was behaving so belligerently and menacingly one night last fall at the Blue Velvet Lounge, on Avenue U, that the lounge’s owner said she had to make him leave." Owner Yana Levin said, "You learn to tell the difference between when a person is just talking, and when somebody has aggressive intent... He was saying, ‘Oh, you might regret it. You’ll throw me out now, but you might live to regret it.'"
Tagged
brooklyn murder
fatal stabbing
joseph lozito
killing spree
maksim gelman
sheepshead bay
stabbing
subway
yelena bulchenko
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
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 .