There was a massive manhunt for Daniel St. Hubert who was identified as the man responsible for fatally injuring 6-year old Prince Joshua (P.J.) Avitto and wounding his playmate, 7-year old Mikayla Capers.  Despite being stabbed 16 times, Mikayla survived the attack and was listed in critical condition at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia.  P.J died from his injuries at a local hospital.  Hubert, known as the “brooklyn butcher” was arrested at 145 St. and 133 Ave. in S. Ozone Park, Queens, just minutes after a press conference at NYPD headquarters announcing the manhunt for him.

The case garnered notoriety not only because of the young ages of the children but also because the young boy is the cousin of Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson.  The East New York Task Force had numerous tips come in with the suspect having a $69,000 price on his head.  The Western Beef Supermarket chain kicked in another $50,000 to add to the reward money.

The police were able to identify the monster by using DNA found on the steak knife used in the attacks.  Hubert is also suspected in Friday’s fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Tanaya Grant Copeland four blocks away from the Boulevard Houses.  Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce notes, “The knives are very similar.”

The community is more at ease with the killer off the streets but the mourning for young P.J. continues.

h/t NYDN

– Shaina Auxilly (@Shay_Marie)