A Nigerian-American  teenager has been arrested for  killing his 15-year-old brother and brutally beating his mother – a respected physician – into a coma over the weekend, police in New York said.

Charles Okonkwo Jr., 18, has been charged with assault on his mother, Chinwe Okonkwo, 52, Saturday in Dix Hill, New York, but does not yet face charges on the death of Bradley Okonkwo.

The family live in  Long Island, New York.

Charles Okonkwo- the suspected killer, middle

Mrs Okonkwo, a Brooklyn doctor, who practiced in Enugu State, Nigeria between 1986 and 1990 before relocating to the USA for further studies, has received the Congressional Leadership Award and runs Hope Outreach Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes public health in Brooklyn and across the world.

Charles Okonkwo Sr., Mrs Okonkwo’s husband, returned home from a hospital stay on Saturday night and found his son Bradley dead in his bedroom. His wife was laying unconscious in a pool of blood next to her car in the garage, Newsday reports.

Bradley Okonkwo: killed by brother

Dr. Chinwe Okonkwo: gravely injured by her son

Mrs Okonkwo was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where she remains in critical condition. She suffered facial fractures and doctors have had to relieve swelling on her brain.

Charles Okonkwo Jr. was arrested Saturday night shortly after the attack was discovered. He had fled the family home in his parents’ BMW X5 SUV, but was spotted by police just a short distance away from the crime scene.

He admitted to ‘hurting’ his mother and little brother, authorities say.

In court on Sunday, a defense said that Charles Okonkwo Jr. had a history of mental illness, but didn’t elaborate on what sorts of problems he has.

Originally published at : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2700104/New-York-teen-arrested-killing-brother-15-brutally-beating-respected-doctor-mother-coma.html#ixzz389BSgt7x