Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Wei Sheng Chen was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted murder, assault, arson and weapon possession for killing his 50-year-old mother-in-law and stabbing his 17-year-old brother-in-law multiple times in a violent attack at their family home in Flushing on Thursday.

DA Katz said: “As alleged, this defendant murdered his mother-in-law, repeatedly stabbed his teenage brother-in-law and set three fires in his multigenerational family home. Defendant Wei Sheng Chen is now facing murder and arson charges that carry a potential life sentence. Our thoughts are with the family of Qui Jin Shi as we pursue justice for the victims in this case.”

Chen, 27, of Smart Street in Flushing, was arraigned yesterday on a felony complaint charging him with murder in the first degree, two counts of murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, arson in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Queens Criminal Court Judge Glenda Hernandez remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court October 9. If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces up to life in prison.

DA Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, Chen shares a family residence with his wife, her mother and her brother on Smart Street in Flushing. On October 2, between approximately 3:50 p.m. and 4 p.m., Chen allegedly stabbed his mother-in-law, Qui Jin Shi, multiple times in the torso and arms with a knife.

He allegedly then stabbed his brother-in-law in the face, chest, back and head with a knife.

Chen allegedly used alcohol to set fires in three locations on the first floor of the home.

Shi was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. The 17-year-old victim was taken to a hospital where he was treated for approximately 20 stab and slash wounds throughout his body including wounds to his neck, back, and abdomen as well as one from his eyelid to the middle of his cheek. All of his injuries required more than 100 staples and stitches.

Investigators later recovered two knives.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Brian Porzelt of the NYPD’s 109^th Detective Squad.

Assistant District Attorney Nicole Rella of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Alexa Ornelas, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys John Kosinski, Bureau Chief, and Karen Ross and Jonathan Selkowe, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.