Man Stabs Family Members to Death Then Sets Couch on Fire: Police

A New York City man is accused of stabbing four family members to death, before lighting a couch on fire and later getting into a confrontation with police.

New York City Police Department (NYPD) officials released information about the incident on Sunday morning, shortly after it took place. At approximately 5:10 a.m. ET, police responded to a call from a residence at 467 Beach 22nd Street in the Queens neighborhood of Far Rockaway. NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey explained that an unnamed 911 caller, described as a young female, had told police that a cousin was at the home and was violently attacking several family members.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a 61-year-old woman in critical condition and had her transported to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital for treatment. Three other family members were pronounced dead at the scene. While the identities of the victims have not been disclosed, they have been described as a 12-year-old boy, a 44-year-old woman, and a man in his 30s, according to PIX 11 News. An 11-year-old girl was also found at the home with multiple stab wounds, but was later pronounced dead after being taken to Long Island Medical Center Cohen for treatment, the NYPD confirmed to Newsweek on Sunday.

The suspect, 38-year-old Courtney Gordon, left the house after allegedly carrying out the brutal stabbings, but not before lighting the home's couch on fire. According to officials, two officers later spotted Gordon near the home carrying luggage and attempted to question him, but he instead pulled out a kitchen knife, slashing one officer in the neck and one in the head. The officers were left with non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for treatment, in critical but stable condition, the NYPD told Newsweek. Amid the violent encounter, one of the officers opened fire on Gordon. The suspect was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

"I really have to commend them they did an excellent job," Maddrey said about the officers. "They could've easily let this person walk past them with his luggage, but instead they stopped, asked a couple of questions, tried to gain some intel before they walked right up in there. Unfortunately, they were met with the perpetrator in this incident, he went right at him."

First responders with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) were called to the home to handle the couch fire at approximately 5:17 a.m. ET. Once the blaze was extinguished, officials were able to enter the residence and locate the bodies. It is unclear from initial reports if the original 911 caller was among the victims. The investigation remains ongoing.

Updated 12/3/23, 5:05 p.m. ET: This article was updated with details provided by he NYPD.