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A search is on for the man who allegedly stabbed 6-year-old boy Prince Joshua Avitto in the elevator and 7-year-old girl Mikayla Capers. Avitto’s wounds were fatal and Capers is clinging to life In Brooklyn. These two children were coming back downstairs after running up to Avitto’s 6th floor apparent to get themselves icees when the suspect approached them in the elevator and stabbed each of them multiple times (more than 15) with a steak knife.

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Nicholas Avitto, Prince’s father says he recognized the alleged killer from the sketch. “I saw that sketch and I recognize that individual,” Avitto told CBS New York on Tuesday. “I’ve seen him in our hallway. I saw that picture and I was devastated.”

“He took my pride and joy away,” the boy’s father, Nicholas told the Daily News. “I’m devastated. I’m beyond comprehension. I’m trying to understand how God works. My son is gone. That was the light of my life.”

“This is a particularly heinous crime,” Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said. “Two young children in an elevator with no place to escape, nothing at all, and some character gets on and just starts stabbing them? [Residents] have every right to be concerned.”

[Tanaya Copeland]

Residents should be especially wary because police believe the suspect may also be responsible for killing 18-year-old Tanaya Copeland, who was stabbed to death (30 times) Friday night, only blocks away from where Avitto and Capers’ stabbing took place. CBS New York reports investigators found a knife similar to the one used in Sunday’s attack at the scene of Copeland’s murder.

Police said the attack appears random, according to the station. The suspect is described as a Black male between 25 and 35 years old, roughly 6-feet-tall with a heavy build, and was last seen wearing a grey shirt. If this man was responsible for murdering Avitto and Copeland and severely injuring Capers, I’m praying that he’s brought to justice.

A reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest has reached $12,000. Those with information are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, visit http://www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text TIP577 to 274637 (CRIMES).

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