3 stabbed to death in Queens home following apparent dispute with landlord, police say
NEW YORK -- Three people were found stabbed to death Tuesday morning inside a home in St. Albans, Queens.
Police told CBS New York the violence may have stemmed from a landlord and tenant dispute over rent.
NYPD officials said a man, later identified as 54-year-old David Daniel, calmly walked into the 113th Precinct at around 7:15 a.m., saying he was "having issues with his tenants."
"The officer inquired further, and the male stated that 'he did something bad,'" NYPD Assistant Chief Kevin Williams told reporters on the scene. "He came in as calm as possible as he can be when he engaged officers."
Watch NYPD update from the scene
Officers responded to an address on Milburn Street near 122nd Avenue, where they found a man and woman face up on the basement floor with multiple stab wounds, along with another woman face down in bed on the second floor.
Police said it's still unclear if the victims were stabbed in their sleep and added no children lived in the home. They were all pronounced dead at the scene.
Neighbor Heather Bobb, who lives next door, said she interacted with the suspect from time to time and was stunned by the news.
"I'm terrified. I'm here with my three daughters. It's scary," Bobb said. "He was outside playing music, cleaning the car and stuff. No, he was always very nice always, said, 'Hi, how are you?'"
Other neighbors said they were equally perplexed and shocked by what happened.
"I've lived here for 23 years. This is the first this ever happened," Archer Dudley said.
"It's scary, very scary. Goes to show you don't know who's who," neighbor Marcia Ward said.
"Honestly, it's upsetting. You don't want anything like that happening, especially over rent," Alfred Felder added.
Daniel remains in police custody and has asked for an attorney. Charges are pending.
Police have identified the victims, but have not yet released their names.
Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
