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Houston man trying to help what he thought was a neighbor in need was killed in a random act of violence

The Harris County Sheriff's Office says a man randomly stabbed two strangers after flagging them down for help while holding a knife and a stuffed animal.

HOUSTON — It’s every parent’s worst nightmare.

“It’s hard, my heart is broken. I can’t believe this,” Hoa Dong told KHOU 11 News. “He died in front of my face."

Her son was stabbed to death by a neighbor on Sandlewood Trail Lane, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. 

“I lost my child, so I lost one of my life,” Dong explained.

She said she woke up from a nap Wednesday afternoon around 4:30 and felt a need to contact one of her 6 children, 49-year-old Chau Ngoc Dang. As she headed to her car to grab her phone, her son pulled into the driveway. But something was wrong.

“He said, 'Mom call 911.' I said what happened? He said, 'Some guy stabbed me,'” Dong said.

While waiting for paramedics to arrive, the family did what they could to keep the father of two alive but he didn't survive.

“I asked my husband if there was good news. He said no. My husband said he passed away,” Dong told us.

Dang was stabbed along Sandalwood Trail Lane, just a short drive from his home. 

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said a neighbor, Rafielle Andrews, was flagging down drivers and asking for help. Investigators said once the drivers stopped, Andrews stabbed them. Dang was one of two victims. A woman drove away quickly after she was stabbed and she's expected to survive.

Andrews was standing in the street still holding a bloody knife and a stuffed animal when deputies arrived, according to HCSO. He was arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault.

“I want to keep him in the prison because if they release him early, then maybe he can kill somebody else," Dong said.

The motive for the stabbings remains unclear.

According to court records, Andrews has previous convictions for aggravated robbery and aggravated assault.

RELATED: Man randomly flagged down vehicles, stabbed multiple drivers in north Harris County, officials say

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