WABC News, New York
New York - A confrontation involving three police officers and a suspect turned violent. Now the suspect is in extremely critical condition, and the officers have been treated for trauma. Marcus Solis is in the Parkchester section of the Bronx with more.
The suspect was chasing after a livery cab so hard that he came right out of his boots. He never did catch up to it, but three police officers caught up to him and in the end all three ended up firing their weapons.
Louis Rodriguez, Witness: “He had an umbrella, just like this.. Walking down the street like this with a shotgun hanging out.”
Louis Rodriguez say he got out of the way and then called 911. Minutes later that shotgun- wielding suspect was confronted and shot by police at the scene.
The scene unfolded just before 10:00 a.m. Tuesday on Westchester Avenue. The suspect got into an argument with a livery driver who nearly hit him with the cab.
Ray Kelly, NYC Police Commissioner: “he took out a shotgun, and knocked the shotgun on the window of the car and the car took off. He then ran after the car, ran out of his shoes actually, and many people saw this and called the police. “
Rodriguez: “I am thinking, ‘Man, this guy is crazy, he might shoot somebody.’ Everybody ran. We all ran for cover. “
The suspect was confronted by a sergeant and two police officers from the 43rd Precinct. Witnesses say the man refused to drop his weapon, a loaded shotgun with the stock missing.
Hector Resto, Witness: “This gentlemen didn’t want to put the weapon down. He was told between five or ten times to put this weapon down. The officers opened fire on him, and the man was down.”
The suspect was shot in the head and taken to Jacobi Hospital. The three officers were also taken to the hospital for trauma.
The suspect lives around the corner from the scene of the shooting.
The identity of the suspect has not yet been released. He is in extremely critical condition at Jacobi Hospital. Charges are pending should he pull through.