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Southampton Police Fatally Shoot Man After He Allegedly Stabs Mother 40 Times on Mother’s Day
Officers responding to a 911 call in Northampton near Riverhead said the 28-year-old resumed attacking his mother inside the family’s Toppings Drive home before police opened fire to stop the assault.
A 28-year-old man was fatally shot by Southampton Town police Sunday after he allegedly stabbed and slashed his mother more than 40 times inside a Northampton home on Mother’s Day, authorities said Monday.
The incident unfolded at about 2:43 p.m. Sunday, May 10, when police received two 911 calls from the woman reporting that her son was intoxicated and acting violently inside their home on Toppings Drive, Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan said during a Monday press conference at police headquarters.
While officers were en route, the woman called 911 again to report that her son was threatening her with a knife.
Armed with Knife Inside the Home
When three Southampton Town officers arrived moments later, they found Steven Eastwood armed with a knife and standing over his mother, who was on the floor inside the residence, Kiernan said.
Officers repeatedly ordered Eastwood to drop the weapon, but he instead advanced toward them while still armed, according to police.
Kiernan said the officers backed away in an effort to draw Eastwood away from the victim and de-escalate the situation. Eastwood then turned back toward his mother and resumed the attack.
“Within moments, he refocused his attention on the victim and returned to her and was actively stabbing and slashing at her body,” Southampton Town police said in a statement issued after the press conference.
Faced with what police described as “an ongoing deadly assault,” officers fired their service weapons, striking Eastwood and immediately stopping the attack.
Eastwood was pronounced dead at the scene by Flanders Northampton Ambulance personnel.
Mother Suffers More than 40 Stab and Slash Wounds
The woman suffered more than 40 apparent stab and slash wounds and was airlifted by Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for emergency treatment. Kiernan said she underwent surgery Sunday night and remained unconscious Monday morning. No updated condition was available.
Police said Eastwood and his mother were believed to be the only people inside the home at the time of the incident. Kiernan said Eastwood had lived with his mother on and off throughout his life, though investigators had not determined whether he was living there or visiting when the attack occurred.
Kiernan said Southampton police had responded to numerous incidents at the Toppings Drive address over the past decade, including domestic-related calls. While there may have been an order of protection in the past, there was no active order of protection at the time of Sunday’s incident.
Authorities said it was not immediately clear whether Eastwood had a criminal record or a documented history of mental health issues.
The officers involved were transported for trauma evaluation and support services following the shooting.
A Traumatic Event as Investigation Continues
“As you can imagine, they experienced a very traumatic event,” Kiernan said. “They’re doing OK, but very shaken.”
The New York State Attorney General’s Office responded to the scene and is investigating, as required by state law. Detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department and Southampton Town Police Department are also assisting.
Kiernan said body camera footage exists, and officials are working with the town attorney’s office to determine a protocol for releasing information to the public.
Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore called the incident “an extremely tragic and violent event.”
“Our concerns are first and foremost with the victim and her family, as she continues to fight through very serious injuries,” Moore said.
Southampton Town police also thanked the Westhampton Beach Police Department, Quogue Village Police Department, New York State Police, Flanders Northampton Ambulance, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance, and Suffolk County Police Department for their response and assistance.
