Mother dead, 2 children in critical condition after hammer attack in Brooklyn rooming house

A mother is dead and her two children are in critical condition after being attacked by a hammer-wielding man in their Brooklyn rooming house. 

The 47-year-old suspect was taken to the 72nd Precinct stationhouse after being apprehended by police as he attempted to leave the building with blood stains on his clothing. A bloodied hammer was recovered at the scene.

According to the New York Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call at a rooming house on 52nd Street near 5th Avenue in Sunset Park shortly before 3 pm Wednesday. When they arrived, they discovered the three "seriously injured" victims in their second floor apartment and quickly transported them to NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn.

The mother, 43, was soon pronounced deceased, while her two children, a 5-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl, were said to be "fighting for their lives."

"On behalf of New York City, everyone here, our hearts go out to this family," NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said during a news briefing following the incident, which he deemed a "horrific and senseless act of violence."

Chell explained that the victims shared an apartment with the suspect and his 9-year-old son, with each family living in one room. Another individual who lived in the third bedroom was not implicated in the crime.

Authorities have not revealed the identities of the victims, nor the suspect. There has also been no further information provided regarding the events that led up to the attack, or a potential motive.

The violent incident is just the latest to occur in New York City. As of late, residents have expressed concern over their safety, calling on officials to take a tougher approach to handling criminals. In many cases, attacks are carried out by repeat offenders who would have remained locked up had it not been for the soft on crime policies enacted by those such as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.