Police say the man who beat a woman to death and wounded her two children with a hammer on Thursday has been charged with murder.

Leyong Ye, 47, was arrested after officers say they found him trying to leave a 52nd Street apartment he shared with the mother and kids covered in blood. The mother and children had severe head trauma from the bloody hammer that police found at the scene.

Elected officials and the sister-in-law of the slain mother came together on Friday to speak to the community, reminding everyone that her 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter are still fighting for their lives. They say they're aiming to bring the grandmother from China to care for the children, while calling on the community to lend a hand. 

"We must work together across party lines to make sure when they seek help, there are resources available to make sure that happens," said Assembly Member William Colton. 

Officers told News 12 they drove the ambulances to the hospital themselves to try and save everyone, but the mother died. The children are fighting for their lives.

Leyong is also being charged with attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.