Assemblyman Lester Chang (R,C-Brooklyn) is calling for immediate action following the horrific attack on four young girls in Bensonhurst on April 6, where a mentally ill man—the children’s own uncle—used a meat cleaver to inflict severe injuries on his nieces before being shot by NYPD officers.

The attacker, 49-year-old Lun Chang Chen, had a known history of schizophrenia and had previously been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons. Despite prior warnings from family members to child protection authorities, no intervention was made.

“This brutal attack should have never happened,” said Chang. “Four innocent young girls are in the hospital fighting to recover and the warning signs were there. We need to take mental health threats seriously before they turn into tragedies like this incident. Our system failed these children, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families during this incredibly difficult time.”

In response to this horrific incident, Chang joined Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, Sen. Steve Chan and other members of the Legislature in a press conference earlier today to call for expanded laws around involuntary mental health commitments. The press conference emphasized the need to ensure individuals with severe mental illness receive proper treatment and intervention, especially when they pose a risk to themselves or others.

Chang emphasized the importance of mental health awareness and intervention: “This tragic example relays the urgent need to address mental health issues within our community and ensure that individuals receive the necessary support and treatment they need. We must work together in the Legislature to improve our mental health care system and prevent events such as this one. This is why I fully support the effort to strengthen our state’s mental health commitment laws.

As an Asian American, I also want to speak directly to our community, where mental health is often seen as a taboo subject. We must break that silence. Ignoring these issues doesn’t make them go away; it allows them to grow in the shadows, resulting in devastating consequences.”

Residents are encouraged to remain cautious and to seek help if they or someone they know is struggling with mental health issues. For mental health care resources, please text “GOT5” to 741741 or visit https://omh.ny.gov/.