A tragic incident unfolded late Sunday night at a Brooklyn nursing home when a 95-year-old woman with dementia allegedly attacked and killed an 89-year-old fellow resident using a piece of a wheelchair. The incident occurred at the Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on West 29th Street near Surf Avenue, according to law enforcement sources.
The elderly woman is said to have struck the victim multiple times in the head during a dispute that erupted just after 10 p.m. The victim was discovered in her bed with severe head injuries and was immediately transported to NYU Brooklyn Hospital. Initially listed in critical condition, she later succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of Monday.
The alleged assailant, who is also a resident of the nursing home, was taken to Coney Island Hospital for both physical and psychiatric evaluation. As of now, she is not facing any charges due to her advanced age and dementia diagnosis, sources revealed.
The identities of both women have not been released by the police. The piece of the wheelchair allegedly used in the fatal attack was found on the pavement outside the facility, cordoned off by blue crime scene tape on Monday afternoon.
A 77-year-old woman, who identified herself as Elaine, expressed her shock at the violent incident. She had been visiting her sister at the nursing home and was leaving when she learned about the attack. “I’m a nervous wreck for my sister,” she said. “That could’ve been my sister.” She also expressed sympathy for the victim’s family, saying, “Her poor family.”
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of residents in nursing homes, particularly those with cognitive impairments such as dementia. It underscores the need for adequate supervision and care for these vulnerable individuals to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring.