Police took a man into custody in connection with the fatal stabbing of his mother-in-law and a fire at her home in Queens on Thursday, NYPD officials said.
Officers found 50-year-old East Flushing resident Qiujin Shi unconscious with stab wounds to her abdomen at her house on Smart Street near 45th Avenue, police said. Emergency medical workers took her in critical condition to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.
A 17-year-old boy was also stabbed in the incident and taken to the same hospital, according to officials. He was expected to survive.
The man had stab wounds as well and was in serious condition at the hospital, officials said. He had not been charged as of Friday morning. Police said a domestic issue spurred the violence, noting Shi was the man’s mother-in-law and the boy is his brother-in-law.
The FDNY said it received a 911 call around 4 p.m. Thursday about a person who had been stabbed at Shi’s home, and then received reports of a fire there. First responders saw smoke coming from the home when they arrived.
Twelve FDNY units with 60 fire and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, authorities said. The fire was brought under control shortly after 4:30 p.m.
Officials said medical workers treated eight people, including first responders, on site. Fire marshals were still investigating the fire’s cause.
This story is based on preliminary information from police and has been updated with additional details.
