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Grim prognosis for children in Brooklyn hammer attack, doctor says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 25, 2023
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By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 25, 2023
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The prognosis is grim for the two children seriously injured in a Brooklyn hammer attack, according to a doctor who was quoted in the criminal complaint against suspect Liyong Ye.
A doctor who examined the children said the 5-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl are “likely to die” as they remain in critical condition with blunt trauma to their heads. They were taken to Bellevue Hospital's pediatric unit after the attack.
Ye allegedly attacked the children and their 43-year-old mother Zhao Zhao Wednesday afternoon in the condo they all shared on 52nd Street in Sunset Park. Ye and Zhao had often argued about their shared living conditions, according to neighbors, friends and the criminal complaint.
Neighbors said Zhao and her husband, who worked out of state, owned the condo and rented one room to Ye, his wife, and their 9-year-old son — and another room to another couple who has not been identified. Neighbors and friends said Zhao and Ye had been living together for about three years.
The criminal complaint lays out the scope of the assault in graphic detail, recounting the moment where Ye, 47, was discovered standing over Zhao and her children with a bloody hammer in his hand.
“There was blood on the defendant’s person, and that blood was splattered on the walls and floor,” the complaint reads.
Zhao was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police, after suffering “massive” blunt force trauma to the head.
Ye was allegedly caught in the act by another roommate who is not named in the complaint. He had called that individual earlier on Wednesday, stating that he “will fight with Zhao Zhao Zhao,” the children’s mother, who is referred to in the document by her full Chinese name.
Ye reportedly told the roommate to come back to the apartment because he had “done something wrong,” the document states.
Police arrested Ye down the block from the building after he had tried to flee the scene in a bloodied tank top, according to neighbors and video viewed by Gothamist.
Ye was taken back into custody after his arraignment on Thursday night in Brooklyn Criminal Court. He is being charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, assault and weapons possession, though those charges could expand.
Online Department of Correction records show that he is being housed at West Facility in East Elmhurst, Queens, which is often used to house inmates with contagious diseases.
Ye’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tagged
courts
nypd
public safety
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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