NYPD Hate Crimes Unit Investigates Deadly Stabbing of Queens Woman

For NY 1 News, On Sep 1st 2016, Read Original

The NYPD Hate Crimes Unit is investigating as police search for the person who stabbed the aunt of an NYPD officer on a Queens street Wednesday night.

Investigators say it happened shortly after 9 p.m. outside 160-12 Normal Road in Jamaica.

Police say the victim, Nazma Khanam, 60, was found stabbed in the torso about two blocks from her home.

She was transported to Jamaica Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

"I'm like so scared you have no idea. Nothing ever happens here, in like the area, this is my first time hearing about it, like, who would've known. I'm like terrified," said one neighbor.

Police say detectives in the 107th precinct are working under the assumption Khanam's death stemmed from a robbery but that the exact motive remains unclear.

Khanam's family says she was an observant Muslim wearing a traditional head covering and walking her normal route at the time of the attack.

In a tweet, the NYPD Muslim Officers Society confirmed Khanam was the aunt of an officer assigned to the department's transit unit.

Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.