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New York City residents were seen sobbing on Sunday after cops shot a man wielding a butcher's knife in Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Officers responded to multiple 911 calls about an assault in progress at an apartment building on Ludlow Street, near Rivington Street, at 4.06pm and spotted a trail of blood in the lobby and leading up the staircase.

When cops then ran up the staircase, the armed man came charging down with the large butcher's knife in his hand.

Officers repeatedly demanded that the man show his hands and dropped the hands, which he refused.

But when the suspect lunged at the officers with the knife still in his hand, officers deployed a taser, AMNY reports.

When that didn't work, officers fired at least four shots.

The suspect, identified as Wei Chan, 54, was then pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Meanwhile, police found the suspect's father, Chung Chan, 75, with a gash to the head in an upstairs apartment, but it wasn't clear whether it was caused by the knife or another object during the domestic-violence dispute, according to the New York Post.

A woman exiting an apartment broke down in tears after police shot a man wielding a butcher's knife on Sunday

Officers responded to multiple 911 calls about an assault in progress at an apartment building on Ludlow Street, near Rivington Street, at 4.06pm and spotted a trail of blood in the lobby and leading up the staircase

The suspect Wei Chan, 54, was wielding this knife when officers shot him on Sunday, police said

He was also rushed to a local hospital, and was expected to survive.

The FDNY also reported that four members of its service were sent to the hospital with minor injuries.

'Officers entered the building, saw a trail of blood and responded without hesitation, not knowing what was waiting for them as they went up the stairs,' Assistant Police Chief Melissa Eger said at a news conference.

'Their actions are a reminder of how officers run towards danger, not away from it.'

Officers also noted that Chan does not have any prior criminal activity, but has documented mental health issues.

One witness, Fabio Gutierrez, who was eating dinner with his wife, Debora Martins, at a nearby restaurant, described how he thought he was witnessing a 'neighborhood fight.'

His wife also told how she saw the suspect getting into a gurney as first responders performed CPR.

Assistant Police Chief Melissa Eger commended officers' bravery

As the investigation now continues, the NYPD has asked residents to avoid the area

'I was kind of shocked,' she said. 'I've never seen someone who seemed like they were dying.'

Martins also said she saw another man covered in blood being led down the street by cops.

'He was not good,' she recounted. 'He was all bloody.'

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was briefed on the 'tragic events,' and said he wishes the father 'a full and speedy recovery.'

'As with every incident in which NYPD officers discharge their weapons, there will be an internal investigation and body-worn camera footage of the incident will be released,' he vowed.

As the investigation now continues, the NYPD has asked residents to avoid the area.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the NYPD for comment.