Violence inside a home.
A chilling question that stunned investigators.

A Long Island community is grappling with a disturbing case of alleged domestic violence after police say a man brutally attacked his own elderly mother—while repeatedly demanding to know why she wasn’t dying.

John Strano, 37, has been charged with attempted murder and multiple assault-related offenses following what authorities describe as a violent and prolonged attack inside a home in Williston Park, New York. The case, initially reported by local news outlets, has shocked residents and raised renewed concerns about elder abuse and domestic violence behind closed doors.

According to the Nassau County Police Department, the incident unfolded on the evening of April 3. Officers say Strano and his 75-year-old mother were inside their Broad Street home when an argument escalated into physical violence.

What followed, investigators allege, was a sustained and brutal assault.

Police say Strano pushed his mother to the ground and repeatedly slammed her head against the floor. He then allegedly punched her multiple times in the face, continuing the attack even as she lay defenseless.

Authorities say the violence intensified further.

According to prosecutors, Strano allegedly grabbed a metal object—described in court as a clamp—and struck his mother in the back of the head. He then reportedly began choking her, restricting her breathing to the point where she lost consciousness.

During the attack, officials say Strano made deeply disturbing statements.

Witness accounts presented in court allege that he repeatedly shouted phrases such as “Why are you still breathing?” and “Why aren’t you dying?” as he continued the assault.

After the incident, police say Strano fled the scene.

Responding officers quickly located him nearby and took him into custody. He was transported to a local hospital for evaluation before being formally charged.

Meanwhile, the victim was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries, including cuts, swelling, and trauma to her head and face. Authorities confirmed that she lost consciousness during the attack but is currently listed in stable condition.

Strano now faces a series of charges, including second-degree attempted murder, assault, and criminal obstruction of breathing. He has pleaded not guilty in court.

For neighbors and residents of Williston Park—a typically quiet community about 20 miles from Manhattan—the case has been particularly unsettling.

Violence involving elderly victims often carries an added emotional weight, and the alleged details in this case have left many shaken. Experts note that elder abuse can take many forms, from neglect to physical harm, but cases involving extreme violence are especially alarming.

As the legal process moves forward, authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the attack, and it remains unclear what triggered the argument that escalated so dramatically.

What is clear, however, is the severity of the allegations—and the narrow margin between survival and tragedy in this case.

For now, a woman in her 70s is recovering after what police describe as a near-fatal encounter in her own home—while her son faces charges that could carry life-altering consequences.