At least four people, including two children aged 11 and 12, were tragically stabbed to death in a violent rampage that occurred early Sunday morning in a residential home in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, New York City. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Courtney Gordon, allegedly went on a rampage, setting fire to a couch in the residence and later attacking two police officers with a kitchen knife. The suspect was shot and killed by one of the officers in response to the life-threatening situation.

The incident unfolded around 5 a.m. when the New York Police Department received a distress call from a young female, reported to be a cousin, alerting authorities that her family members were being attacked. Two patrol officers, one with 28 years of experience and the other with 16 years, arrived at the scene on Beach 22nd Street. They encountered Gordon in the driveway, carrying luggage from the residence.

Upon questioning, Gordon allegedly launched a sudden attack on the officers using a kitchen knife, inflicting injuries on their faces and heads. Despite being wounded, the veteran officer managed to draw his weapon and fired, ultimately stopping the assault.

The wounded officers were identified as a 28-year veteran of the force and a 16-year veteran. Both were transported to Jamaica Hospital, where they received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Upon further investigation, additional victims were discovered at the scene. An 11-year-old girl, found outside the front door of the home, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Inside the house, police found three more victims in two back bedrooms - a 12-year-old boy, a 44-year-old woman, and a man in his 30s. The woman was critically injured and rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital.

Authorities believe that the victims and the suspect are related, with police withholding their identities until their relatives can be notified.

The Fire Department of New York City responded to the scene to extinguish a fire that had been deliberately set in the living room. The blaze temporarily prevented officers from entering the residence, delaying their discovery of the other fatally stabbed victims.

Police Chief of Department, Jeff Maddrey, commended the injured officers for their bravery and swift action in neutralizing the threat, despite sustaining injuries themselves. Maddrey emphasized the unpredictable nature of such incidents and underscored the importance of police presence in crisis situations.

The suspect, Gordon, had a prior arrest related to a domestic violence incident involving strangulation in the Bronx.

The motive behind the violent rampage remains under investigation. Authorities revealed that Gordon, a Bronx resident, was visiting relatives in Queens at the time of the incident.

As the community grapples with this horrifying event, the New York City Police Benevolent Association president, Patrick Henry, expressed gratitude for the officers' prompt response and emphasized the potential escalation of tragedy had they not intervened.

This shocking incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face daily while protecting the public. As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of innocent lives in what appears to be a devastating act of violence in a residential neighborhood.