Man arrested for murder in possible Bushwick ax attack gets psychiatric evaluation

A 20-year-old woman is dead and another fighting for her life after a possible ax attack over the weekend.

News 12 Staff

Apr 22, 2019, 10:38 AM

Updated 1,840 days ago

Share:

A 20-year-old woman is dead and another fighting for her life after a possible ax attack over the weekend.  
Police tell News 12 that two women were attacked by the same man, with some sources saying the victim who survived was the girlfriend of the man charged in the crime.
The 20-year-old who did not survive has been identified Savannah Rivera. Her family says she was two months pregnant at the time of her death.
Rivera was found lifeless inside her friend's apartment on the eighth floor of the Buswick Houses early Saturday morning. Police say she was nearly decapitated.
Initially, police responded to a call for the other victim, a mother of a 4-year-old girl who lived at the Bushwick Houses.
Instead, they found that the mother had already been taken to the hospital. However, her daughter was found inside the apartment. The 4-year-old was unharmed, and her mom remains in critical but stable condition this morning, according to police.
News 12 is told while investigators searched for evidence, they say they found an ax. They're not confirming how it's related to the attack, but News 12 did speak to the owner of a local hardware store who said police came in to question him.
"The detectives came in here in the store, and they showed us a picture of the ax. We identified it. We saw that it had a price tag that came from our store," says Udi Amrussi, manager at Florama Hardware.
Police arrested 34-year-old Jerry Brown, who is now facing murder and attempted murder charges. 
News 12 is told Brown went through a psychiatric evaluation over the weekend. 
The District Attorney says Brown will remain in the hospital.


More from News 12
0:51
Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

1:38
Steady rain, chilly Sunday on Long Island; warmer start to workweek

Steady rain, chilly Sunday on Long Island; warmer start to workweek

0:23
Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

0:50
Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

0:24
Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

0:27
Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

0:21
State police: 32-year-old man killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

State police: 32-year-old man killed in Wantagh Parkway crash

0:45
Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

1:50
‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

0:46
Teachers participate at 15th annual 'GC for a Cure' 5K Run and Walk in memory of late educator

Teachers participate at 15th annual 'GC for a Cure' 5K Run and Walk in memory of late educator

0:53
Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

0:28
Sag Harbor teen charged with DWI following crash into tree

Sag Harbor teen charged with DWI following crash into tree

2:15
Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

0:38
Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:58
Kids get up-close-and personal tour of Suffolk police headquarters during Police Week

Kids get up-close-and personal tour of Suffolk police headquarters during Police Week

2:15
EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

1:56
JAC Shack gives BOCES students chance to work at restaurant

JAC Shack gives BOCES students chance to work at restaurant