You follow the news because you want to understand how something as rare and chilling as a crossbow attack could unfold inside a family home. A 21-year-old Lawrence man allegedly planned for months to shoot his sister with a hunting arrow and later grazed her face, leading to attempted murder charges and an active criminal case.
You’ll find details about the alleged planning timeline, the scene of the attack, and the immediate police response — plus how prosecutors are handling the case as it moves through Nassau County court.
Expect a clear look at the alleged motive, the medical and legal stakes involved, and what the next court dates could mean for both the accused and the survivor.
The Crossbow Attack and Ongoing Investigation
A 21-year-old man allegedly fired a crossbow bolt at a female relative at a West Avenue home in Lawrence, leaving investigators to treat the incident as an attempted murder and to collect court records and physical evidence. Authorities say planning, a sibling dispute, visible injuries, and scene evidence are key to the case.
Incident Details at the West Avenue Residence
Nassau County Police responded to the West Avenue residence just before 9:30 p.m. after a 911 call reporting a shooting. Officers found the 28-year-old woman bleeding from a laceration on the right side of her face; police arrested Samy Sedhom at the scene and charged him with attempted murder and other offenses.
According to court records, Sedhom waited in a vehicle near the home for his sister to return from the gym before firing a hunting arrow with a crossbow. Investigators say the bolt grazed the victim’s face and split her ear, injuries that prosecutors note could have been fatal with a slight change in trajectory. The arrest and charging details were announced by Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
Siblings’ Dispute and Motive
Court documents allege the attack followed months of tension between the siblings and that Sedhom had been planning the assault since around Christmas 2025. Prosecutors describe the motive as stemming from a domestic “brother-sister rivalry” that included repeated arguments about household issues, such as thermostat settings.
Donnelly told reporters the dispute escalated over seemingly minor household preferences, with the victim preferring a cooler environment and Sedhom wanting it warmer. Investigators are using texts, witness statements, and the timeline in court filings to establish premeditation and intent tied to that ongoing dispute.
Injuries Sustained by the Victim
Medical personnel treated the woman at the scene before transporting her to a hospital; she was reported in stable condition. The bolt grazed the side of her face and split her ear, leaving a deep laceration that required sutures and nearby tissue repair.
Prosecutors emphasized that a few inches difference in where the bolt struck would likely have caused a fatal wound. Photographs and medical reports are noted in court records and will be used by the Nassau County District Attorney’s office to document the severity and potential lethality of the attack.
Police Response and Crime Scene Evidence
Nassau County Police secured the West Avenue scene, recovered the crossbow and bolt, and took statements from neighbors and family members. Officers processed physical evidence, including the discharged arrow, the weapon, and any forensic traces such as blood spatter or fibers.
Investigators also pulled surveillance and reviewed court records to track alleged planning. An order of protection was issued for the victim after arraignment, and Sedhom’s next court date is scheduled in Nassau County criminal court while detectives continue building the prosecution case under the oversight of Anne Donnelly’s office.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
The defendant faces multiple felony charges, accusations of premeditated planning, and immediate court action after his arrest. Authorities say the case includes violent charges, weapons counts, stalking allegations, and a protective order for the victim.
Attempted Murder and Assault Charges
Prosecutors charged him with attempted murder after investigators say he shot an arrow that grazed and cut the victim’s face. The complaint alleges intent to kill and supports a second-degree attempted murder count, while local outlets report an attempted-murder indictment in Nassau County.
Officials also filed assault-related counts tied to the wound to the victim’s right cheek. Charging decisions reference the severity of injury and the alleged use of a lethal hunting arrow fired from a crossbow, which elevated the prosecution’s stance to include serious violent-felony charges.
Details About the Suspect and Victim
The accused is a 21-year-old Lawrence man who lived in the same house as the 28-year-old female victim. Court records and police reports indicate they are siblings; filings state he admitted to planning the attack since December and to tracking the victim’s movements.
Police say the victim returned from the gym when the arrow struck her near the garage entry. She received immediate attention at the scene for bleeding from a facial laceration; public reports identify her broadly as a 28-year-old woman without releasing her name.
Weapon Possession, Stalking, and Other Allegations
Beyond attempted murder and assault, authorities charged him with criminal possession of a weapon for having a Barnett Whitetail Hunter crossbow in his room. The complaint also alleges tampering with physical evidence after he discarded the crossbow in a nearby yard following the incident.
Stalking and first-degree stalking counts reference alleged repeated, targeted behavior, including an admitted GPS device placed in the victim’s car to monitor her. Those facts supported separate stalking charges and strengthened the prosecution’s argument about premeditation and danger.
Court Appearances and Protective Orders
After arrest at the scene, he was arraigned in Nassau County and remanded without bail, according to court filings. He pleaded not guilty during the arraignment and is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County.
A temporary order of protection was issued for the victim to restrict contact and ensure her safety while the case proceeds. Upcoming court dates include pretrial appearances and motions where prosecutors may seek upgraded charges or additional restrictions based on evidence such as the alleged GPS tracking and weapon exhibits found in his bedroom.
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