Hammer-wielding maniac planned on ‘fighting’ NYC roommate before killing her and attacking kids, who are ‘likely to die’: prosecutors
The hammer-wielding maniac charged with killing his Brooklyn roommate told a witness he planned on “fighting” the woman before the attack that left her dead and her two young kids “likely to die,” prosecutors revealed.
Liyong Ye, 47, allegedly mapped out the gruesome attack because he blamed the young family for the subpar living conditions of the cramped three-bedroom Sunset Park apartment he shared with Zhou Zhou and her family, prosecutors said during his arrangement Thursday.
Ye — who is charged with murder and attempted murder — occupied one of the bedrooms with his 9-year-old son. The slain woman and her family lived in another room and the third was being rented by a single tenant.
The accused killer repeatedly complained about the state of the kitchen and bathroom to the third roommate in the weeks leading up to the brutal attack, according to officials.
On Wednesday, Ye allegedly called the roommate and asked if they could pick up his son so he could carry out his demented scheme.
“Earlier in the day, the defendant called the witness over the phone and said he’ll be fighting with the deceased and the defendant called the witness and asked the witness to pick up the defendant’s son,” Assistant District Attorney Tziyonah Langsam said in court.
The unidentified roommate told police they returned home to find a bloodied Ye standing over the three victims with a hammer in his hand.
Blood spatter covered the floors and walls of the kitchen that Ye had previously complained was not up to acceptable living standards.
The witness called 911 and Ye was arrested after cops caught him trying to leave the apartment building at 52nd Street near 5th Avenue.
The bloody weapon was recovered during a search of the unit.
Zhou and her children were rushed to NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn, where the 43-year-old mother was pronounced dead due to massive head trauma.
The siblings — a 5-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl — are still fighting for their lives.
“They have blunt trauma to their heads and they are likely to die,” said Langsam.
Harrowing footage viewed by The Post showed cops carrying the bloodied kids out of the apartment Wednesday before the children were rushed to the hospital.
Shocked neighbors described the horror, telling The Post the children were “covered from head to toe, everything was blood.”
Their father doesn’t appear to have been home when Ye allegedly unleashed the violence on his family.
Neighbors say he primarily lives in Ohio, where he works in a restaurant, but comes to the Big Apple to visit his wife and kids at least once a month.
“My dear wife, I owe you an apology,” the grieving man wrote on WeChat Thursday.
“I hope you can bless our child to get through this difficult time. My kids, dad just hopes you can get through this,” added the dad, who wasn’t named, alongside a photo of the couple’s smiling children
Judge Simiyon Haniff granted Langsam’s request to remand Ye without bail because he posed a flight risk.
The violent attack was Ye’s first run-in with the law, according to his defense attorney.
Officials don’t believe he has mental health or substance abuse issues.
