According to sources familiar with the investigation, a man allegedly fired at officers around 6:25 p.m. at 205-17 116th Ave. in St. Albans.
Sources said the officers returned fire, killing the suspect in a hail of bullets. Several officers were taken to a nearby hospital for ringing in the ears and high blood pressure following the incident.
NYPD Chief of Patrol Jeffery Maddrey and Chief of Transit Jason Wilcox spoke from the scene later that evening. According to Maddery, the NYPD received several 911 calls from the suspect who threatened both elected officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, and law enforcement approximately 20 minutes prior.
Photo by Lloyd MitchellPhoto by Lloyd Mitchell
“He made it clear that he was going to blow the head off the first officer he saw,” Maddery said. “Sergeant from the 113th Precinct responded with multiple units.”
According to Maddrey, the man immediately became belligerent with responding officers, hurling verbal abuse and refusing to respond to commands before brandishing a handgun and firing. Maddery — who said he saw numerous body camera footage — believes at least six officers returned fire in a whirlwind of bullets that killed the gunman.
Local residents were shocked by what they described as a hail of bullets that broke the weekend silence in grim fashion. However, those present at the incident said the harsh reality of the situation was not immediately apparent.
The gun was recovered from a shooting in Queens. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
“It sounded like fireworks,” local resident Jamal Walker told amNewYork Metro in disbelief.
Others, however, say they live under the constant threat of gun violence to the point where it has become a way of life.
“I heard about 30 shots. The cops were coming down the block heavily. I’m not afraid, I’m used to it. They’re shooting everywhere,” Ralph Greoiege said.
Maddery estimates about 100 shots were fired in the chaos and that the person had prior police contact. The chief also lamented that officers were forced to draw their sidearms.
“That’s the inherent danger that the members of this department face and it just shows you their commitment because the officers are responding,” Maddery said.
Brooklyn also saw its own police shooting almost exactly an hour later during a traffic stop. Gun recovered from Brooklyn shooting. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Officers said uniformed Public Safety Unit officers in an unmarked police vehicle stopped a gold Nissan at Nevins Street and Flatbush Avenue for a traffic violation. Officers reportedly interacted with several occupants of the pulled over car for nearly ten minutes without incident until one officer asked the group to leave the Nissan, prompting the passenger to take off running.
An officer chased the fugitive for several blocks until the suspect reportedly circled Rockwell Place and Lafayette Avenue, pulled a handgun and fired a series of shots. The officer immediately returned fire, hitting the man in the chest. The gunman later died at a nearby hospital. The officer also received medical treatment for tinnitus.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
