Neighbors: NYC slasher had mental problems

Published: Jan. 14, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Order reprints
NEW YORK, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Witnesses are telling New York police a combination of mental problems and a family quarrel triggered a stabbing rampage by a Queens man known as "Big Dave."

The 6-foot-1, 300-pound David Williams allegedly knifed a woman and an elderly couple as he stormed out of his apartment in the Flushing section of the New York City borough.

The three victims were in critical or serious condition after being stabbed for no apparent reason other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time, the New York Post said Tuesday.

The Post said sources told NYPD detectives that Williams apparently had been suffering with mental problems and his mother refused to seek treatment for him.

The New York Daily News said Monday's rampage was captured on the building surveillance system and showed Williams attacking Joan and John Purcell as the exited the elevator and then straightening out the blade of the knife that had bent during the assault.

Williams, who worked as a bar bouncer, was under arrest Tuesday on charges including attempted murder.


© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



Your Daily Horoscope
The almanac
Panetta: Congress not told of CIA program
Biden goes on the road to defend stimulus
The two-edged sword of online games
Rio Tinto employees face spy charges
Ghana prepared to greet Obama
fark
Tennessee Aquarium presents a bowl full of ugly-ass baby penguin. A little milk and we'll have a...
Judge allows Twitter-using DA to 'tweet' upcoming muder trial over defense objections. Prosecution's...
Photoshop theme: The end of the universe
NY Times thinks their website users would pay five bucks per month. Listen, for the last time, no...
Fewer calories allow monkeys to live longer. Good thing you're not a monkey
"Resident found out it's not OK to shoot raccoons and gerbils...He told police that he and his neighbors...