A young boy is dead and a young girl is in critical condition following what appears to be a random stabbing in Brooklyn, New York. According to a New York Times report, six-year-old Prince Joshua “P.J.” Avitto and seven-year-old Mikayla Capers were stabbed Sunday evening in the elevator of a Shenck Avenue apartment building.

Avitto suffered stab wounds to his neck and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Capers has been transferred to New York-Presbyterian Hospital for treatment of stab wounds to her hands and torso.

According to the families of the victims, the children had been friends since they were toddlers. Avitto and Capers were reportedly on their way down to the street get Icees when they were stabbed.

No arrests have been made yet related to the stabbing. Based on witness reports, police are currently searching for a suspect that is a heavyset black man in his 20s wearing a grey sweatshirt. According to Chief of Brooklyn Detectives Patrick Conry, the man was spotted running away from the crime scene. Police have also recovered a knife they believe may have been used in the attack.

The stabbings have rocked a community that is now struggling to come to terms with why someone would stab two innocent children. Brooklyn community leaders have come together to offer a reward for information on the crime. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams today announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the stabbing suspect.

This stabbing came just days after another stabbing occurred nearby in Brooklyn. In that incident 18-year-old Tanaya Grant Copeland was stabbed and left to die at the corner of Linwood Street and Stanley Avenue. A $2,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Copeland’s murderer.

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