Son Who Stabbed Mother 40X On Mother's Day Shot Dead By Officers: Police

NORTHAMPTON, NY — A man was shot dead by officers after stabbing his mother more than 40 times on Mother's Day, police said.

According to Southampton Town police, at about 2:43 p.m., a 911 call came in from a woman reporting that her 28-year-old son was intoxicated and acting violently inside their residence on Toppings Drive in Northampton.

While officers were responding to the location, a second 911 call was received from the same woman reporting that her son was now threatening her with a knife, police said.

Moments later, three Southampton Town police officers arrived at the scene and encountered Steven Eastwood armed with a knife, standing over his mother, who was on the floor inside the residence, police said.

The officers repeatedly ordered Eastwood to drop the knife, police said.

Instead, he began advancing toward the officers while still armed, police said.

In an effort to draw him away from the victim and de-escalate the situation, officers backed away as he approached them with the knife, police said.

Within moments he refocused his attention on his mother, returned to her, and was actively stabbing and slashing at her body, police said.

Faced with an ongoing deadly assault, officers discharged their service weapons, striking Eastwood and immediately stopping the attack, police said.

Emergency medical services personnel from the Flanders Northampton Ambulance Corps responded to the scene and pronounced Eastwood deceased, police said.

His mother sustained more than 40 apparent stab and slash wounds and was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for emergency treatment, police said.

"As is standard protocol following a traumatic incident of this nature, the involved officers were transported for trauma evaluation and support services," police said.

As required by New York State law, the New York State Attorney General’s Office was notified, responded, and is investigating, police said.

Detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department, along with Southampton Town police detectives, are also actively involved in the investigation, police said.

"At this time, our primary focus is assisting the Attorney General’s Office and Suffolk County Investigators in conducting a complete and transparent investigation," Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan said. "I would also like to thank the responding personnel fromthe Westhampton Beach Police Department, Quogue Village Police Department, New York State troopers, Flanders Northampton Ambulance, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance and the Suffolk County Police Department for their rapid response, professionalism, and assistance during this extremely difficult and violent incident.

"Our thoughts remain with the victim and all those affected by this traumatic incident," he said.

Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore also spoke at a press event regarding the "extremely tragic and violent event. Our concerns are first and foremost with the victim and her family as she continues to fight some very serious injuries. We are grateful for the rapid response and professionalism demonstrated by our police officers, EMS personnel and assisting agencies during a dangerous and rapidly evolving situation."

"Due to the active and ongoing investigation, we will be limited in the additional information we can provide at this time," Kiernan said.

Speaking with the media, Kiernan said the shooting took place inside the home. While her son had lived with his mother at various times over the years, it is believed that he was visiting her on Sunday — although it was not immediately clear if the visit was for Mother's Day, Kiernan said.

Over the last decade, there "have been numerous domestic incidents" at the address, Kiernan said.

It was not immediately clear whether Eastwood had a criminal history or mental health issues, he added.

When officers fired, the woman had already been stabbed and was still being actively attacked and stabbed, Kiernan said, adding that more than one officer opened fire.

The officers, he said, "had experienced a very traumatic event. Everyone is doing okay but they are shaken."