The Maksim Gelman Stabbing Spree: A Tale of Terror in New York City

The Rampage Begins

In the early hours of February 11, 2011, the city that never sleeps was about to be jolted awake by a spree of violence that spanned 28 hours, leaving four dead and five injured in its wake. The perpetrator, Maksim Gelman, would later become a name synonymous with terror for the residents of New York City. This chilling saga unfolded across the bustling boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, forever changing the lives of those who crossed paths with Gelman.

The First Strike

It was just after 5:00 a.m. in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, when Gelman’s rage first ignited. An argument with his mother over his stepfather’s vehicle—a gray 2004 Lexus ES330—escalated into a deadly confrontation. Aleksandr Kuznetsov, Gelman's stepfather, became the first victim. Awoken by the commotion, Kuznetsov confronted Gelman, only to be met with a brutal attack. Gelman, fueled by a paranoid belief that DEA agents were after him, sought to escape to the Dominican Republic. As tensions boiled over, Gelman seized an 8-inch chef's knife, stabbing Kuznetsov repeatedly until the blade broke. Undeterred, he continued the savage assault with a carving fork, leaving Kuznetsov stabbed 55 times. His mother, though unhurt physically, witnessed the horror unfold. In a frenzy, Gelman fled the scene in the Lexus, careening through the streets and injuring a crossing guard in his path.

The Trail of Blood

Driven by a vendetta against those he deemed "rats," Gelman’s next stop was the home of Yelena Bulchenko, a young woman he knew. Arriving at around 10:30 a.m., he encountered her mother, Anna Bulchenko, and mercilessly ended her life. Hours passed as Gelman lay in wait for Yelena to return. When she finally arrived and discovered her mother's lifeless body, she frantically called 9-1-1. But before help could arrive, Gelman returned. Spotting Yelena outside, he pursued her with the same knife hidden in his sleeve. Despite her desperate attempt to flee, Gelman caught up and stabbed her eleven times, extinguishing her young life.

His rampage continued as he sped away in Kuznetsov's car, colliding with another vehicle. The driver, Arthur DiCrescento, confronted Gelman, only to be stabbed three times. Gelman commandeered the vehicle, leaving DiCrescento wounded. Not long after, Gelman’s reckless driving claimed another life—that of 62-year-old pedestrian Stephen Tanenbaum, who succumbed to his injuries after being run over.

A City in Fear

As February 12 dawned, Gelman abandoned DiCrescento's car and hailed a livery cab. He stabbed the driver, Fitz Fullerton, before approaching another vehicle with a couple inside. The driver, Sheldon Pottinger, tried to defend himself but was stabbed multiple times in the hand. Gelman seized Pottinger's car, continuing his deadly journey across the city.

Later that morning, Gelman boarded a northbound 3 train at 34th Street - Penn Station. Among the passengers was Joseph Lozito, a ticket seller at Lincoln Center. Recognizing Gelman from breaking news reports, commuters alerted authorities. Meanwhile, Gelman, posing as a police officer, banged on the motorman's cab door to no avail. When denied entry, he turned his fury on Lozito, attacking him with the knife. In a heroic struggle, Lozito fought back, eventually bringing Gelman to the ground. Only then did two NYPD officers, Terrance Howell and Tamara Taylor, emerge from the conductor's booth to arrest Gelman. Their hesitation and failure to act sooner would later spark controversy and legal action.

The Perpetrator: Maksim Gelman

Maksim Gelman, born May 31, 1987, in Ukraine, came to the United States with his family in 1996, settling in New York. Known as "Mad Max" or the "Butcher of Brighton Beach," Gelman had a troubled history. He was a frequent troublemaker, with a rap sheet that included arrests for drug possession and graffiti vandalism. His antisocial tendencies were well known, and his unpopularity left him isolated, fueling his paranoia.

The Victims

The rampage left a trail of devastation:

• Aleksandr Kuznetsov, 54, Gelman's stepfather
• Anna Bulchenko, 56, the mother of Yelena Bulchenko
• Yelena Bulchenko, 20, a young acquaintance of Gelman
• Stephen Tanenbaum, 62, a pedestrian run over by Gelman

In addition to the fatalities, five others were injured, including Arthur DiCrescento, the unnamed crossing guard, Fitz Fullerton, Sheldon Pottinger, and the valiant Joseph Lozito.

The Trial and Sentencing

On February 13, 2011, Gelman faced arraignment on charges of murder and assault. Despite the severity of his crimes, he remained unrepentant, claiming he had been "set up." The media speculated on his motives, suggesting unrequited romantic advances towards Yelena Bulchenko as a potential trigger. On November 30, 2011, Gelman pleaded guilty to all charges, and on January 18, 2012, he was sentenced to 200 years in prison by New York State Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice. As Gelman laughed and taunted the court, Justice Del Giudice declared him a "violent sociopath."

The Aftermath: Lozito's Lawsuit

Joseph Lozito, who had bravely confronted Gelman and suffered severe injuries, later sued the city for negligence, arguing that the police had failed to protect him during the attack. Although Judge Margaret Chan found Lozito's account credible, she dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the police had no specific duty to protect him.

Lozito's ordeal and subsequent fight for justice were chronicled in various media outlets, providing a stark reminder of the events that transpired and the heroism displayed in the face of danger.

Sources

For further details, visit the original Wikipedia article.