Woman killed in sledgehammer attack in New York City and two children ‘fighting for their lives’

Authorities said Wednesday a suspect was taken into custody after he attacked a family in their New York City home with a hammer, killing the woman and seriously injuring her two young children.

It’s not clear what caused the “brutal” attack in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood, said John Chill, the New York Police Department’s chief of patrol.

Neither the suspect nor the victims have been publicly identified.

Chill said the woman was 43 years old. He said her children are 5 and 3 years old.

Authorities said the attack took place shortly before 2 p.m. in an apartment where the suspect and the victims lived. Chill said the house had three rooms occupied by three separate families.

Chill said the suspect was living with his 9-year-old son in one room, and the victims were living in another. He said the third room was occupied by a single person.

Chill described the apartment as “cramped” and added: “I don’t know what caused the quarrel, but we will work it out.”

Chill said the suspect was arrested by authorities as he was trying to leave the building. It is not clear what charges he may face.

He added that the officers found the woman and her children in the apartment. He added that they were taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

“The 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter are fighting for their lives,” he added. On behalf of New York City, and everyone here, our hearts go out to this family.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com