Brooklyn Hammer Attacker Faces Murder Charge, Victim Identified: NYPD

SUNSET PARK, NY — The man accused in the bloody hammer attack that left two young kids critically injured faces a murder charge and the mother who died has been identified, police said Thursday.

Liyong Ye, 47, stands accused of attacking two kids, ages 3 and 5, and their mother, Zhao Zhao, 43, who died Wednesday, police said.

Ye and his nine-year-old son shared one of three bedrooms in the apartment on 52nd Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, where the Zhaos were found bloodied about 2:50 p.m., according to Chief of Patrol John Chell.

Ye was caught exiting the apartment building and taken to a local precinct, Chell said.

Police described Zhao as a married mother of two, and her death shocked New York City Wednesday.

"This is awful," said City Council Member Alexa Avilés. "Please keep the family in your thoughts."