New York City officers on Sunday morning shot a man in Brooklyn to subdue him while responding to a 911 call about somebody at the residence stabbing her and her siblings. 

The New York City Police Department said during a press conference the call was made by an 11-year-old girl and that the suspect was her uncle. 

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that when police arrived at the home they forced their way in after hearing children screaming, according to Fox News.

Tisch said when they got in, they saw a man holding a meat cleaver covered in blood. She said police told him to drop the weapon, but he refused and lunged at the officers, resulting in him getting shot. 

Two knives were also recovered at the scene. 

The four girls who were stabbed are  16, 13, 11 and eight years old. Tisch said the children are expected to survive even though they have serious slash wounds.

The suspect, Long Chen, 49, is in critical condition. 

"Obviously, the motive behind this horrific attack is still under investigation, and we will provide more information when we have it," NYPD Chief John Chell said.