New York Man Arrested for Pointing Gun at Child Over Halloween Goody Bag Mix-Up
Nov 01, 2023, 11:00 AM
A shocking incident in Manhasset, New York, has led to the arrest of a 43-year-old man, Michael Yifan Wen, who allegedly pointed a gun at a 6-year-old child. The incident stemmed from a Halloween goody bag mix-up, leaving the community in disbelief.
According to the Nassau County Police Department, on the evening of October 28, a 42-year-old mother, along with her daughter, two sons, and nephew, visited a home on Rockcrest Road, approximately 20 miles east of Manhattan. Their purpose was to drop off a Halloween goody bag filled with candy for her daughter's friend.
The daughter and her 6-year-old brother approached the house, rang the doorbell, and left the treats on the front porch. However, they soon realized they might have chosen the wrong address. The mother turned the car around and stopped once again in front of the Rockcrest Road house.
As the 6-year-old went back to retrieve the goody bag, the front door opened, and Michael Yifan Wen stepped out, allegedly pointing a black handgun at the child's head while yelling, "Get the f— off my property." This terrifying encounter left the community deeply shaken.
Residents in the area believed the children were participating in a harmless Halloween tradition called "ghosting," where kids ring a friend's doorbell and leave a bag of treats on the porch. The incident, however, took a disturbing turn.
Wen's attorney, William Zou, offered an explanation, characterizing the incident as a misunderstanding. He stated, "I think what happened yesterday was totally a misunderstanding and a mistake. He and his family have been terrorized recently by constant banging on his door. He just opened the door [and] reacted strongly, telling the person to get away from his property. By the time he realized it was a kid, he started to regret."
Wen pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, and his next hearing is scheduled for November 13. The charges against him include one count of second-degree menacing and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
The Manhasset community expressed shock and dismay over the incident, with one resident describing it as "terrible" and "horrific." Parents and neighbors are discussing the incident, which has raised concerns and left many unsettled.
As the legal process unfolds, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of communication and restraint in tense situations. The Halloween goody bag mix-up, initially thought to be a playful tradition, took a distressing turn, highlighting the need for understanding and vigilance in our communities.Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
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According to the Nassau County Police Department, on the evening of October 28, a 42-year-old mother, along with her daughter, two sons, and nephew, visited a home on Rockcrest Road, approximately 20 miles east of Manhattan. Their purpose was to drop off a Halloween goody bag filled with candy for her daughter's friend.
The daughter and her 6-year-old brother approached the house, rang the doorbell, and left the treats on the front porch. However, they soon realized they might have chosen the wrong address. The mother turned the car around and stopped once again in front of the Rockcrest Road house.
As the 6-year-old went back to retrieve the goody bag, the front door opened, and Michael Yifan Wen stepped out, allegedly pointing a black handgun at the child's head while yelling, "Get the f— off my property." This terrifying encounter left the community deeply shaken.
Residents in the area believed the children were participating in a harmless Halloween tradition called "ghosting," where kids ring a friend's doorbell and leave a bag of treats on the porch. The incident, however, took a disturbing turn.
Wen's attorney, William Zou, offered an explanation, characterizing the incident as a misunderstanding. He stated, "I think what happened yesterday was totally a misunderstanding and a mistake. He and his family have been terrorized recently by constant banging on his door. He just opened the door [and] reacted strongly, telling the person to get away from his property. By the time he realized it was a kid, he started to regret."
Wen pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, and his next hearing is scheduled for November 13. The charges against him include one count of second-degree menacing and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
The Manhasset community expressed shock and dismay over the incident, with one resident describing it as "terrible" and "horrific." Parents and neighbors are discussing the incident, which has raised concerns and left many unsettled.
As the legal process unfolds, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of communication and restraint in tense situations. The Halloween goody bag mix-up, initially thought to be a playful tradition, took a distressing turn, highlighting the need for understanding and vigilance in our communities.Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com