LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: A family in New York was left jolted after a man allegedly pointed a gun at the head of their six-year-old boy who mistakenly left a Halloween goody bag with candy on his front porch.
An officer with the Nassau County Police Department confirmed that Michael Yifan Wen, 43, of Manhasset, New York was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and menacing after pointing a firearm at a six-year-old’s head on Saturday, October 28.
When did the incident take place?
According to a press release shared by the department, the incident took place at around 7.25 pm. A 42-year-old mother was taking her daughter, two sons, and her nephew to what she thought was a particular home in the 100 block of Rockcrest Road.
The 10-year-old girl intended to leave a goody bag at her friend’s house when her six-year-old brother got out of the car to go with her.
“They rang the doorbell and left a goody bag full of candy for Halloween on the porch, before returning to the vehicle,” the release states.
However, the family didn’t get far before realizing they may have had the wrong address.
Police said that upon returning to the residence, the six-year-old went to grab the bag of treats to take it to the proper home. "At this time, the front door opened, a male stepped out of the house and pointed a black handgun at the victim’s head,” the release added.
Michael Yifan Wen allegedly yelled 'Get the f**k off my property' at the boy
According to a criminal complaint obtained by NBC 4, Wen allegedly yelled "Get the f**k off my property" at the boy.
He was arraigned on Sunday, October 29, at First District Court in Hempstead, New York. He pleaded not guilty and was released. He’s ordered back to court on November 13, reports WDTN 2.
What did Michael Yifan Wen's attorney say?
Wen’s attorney William Zou told CBS New York that the situation has been one big misunderstanding.
Zou claimed his client, who lives with his wife and children, has recently been the target of teens banging on his door for no reason, and shared home surveillance footage with the outlet of two alleged incidents.
"I think what happened yesterday was totally a misunderstanding and a mistake. He and his family has been terrorized recently by constant banging on his door," Zou told CBS New York, adding "He just opened the door, react strongly, tell the person to get away from his property. By the time he realized it was a kid, he started to regret."
According to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, Wen was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and take anger management.
