By Rocco Parascandola , Catherina Gioino And Reuven Blau
New York Daily News
NEW YORK — A gunman in a wheelchair fired at an off-duty cop at a Brooklyn party early Sunday — and was wounded when the cop returned fire, police sources said.
The cop was off duty at a party on E. 43rd St. near Linden Blvd. in East Flatbush when he saw that Kwame Dottin, 30, was armed, sources said.
Dottin was paralyzed four years ago when he was shot four times at point-blank range by a jealous romantic rival at a party, according to Dottin’s family.
On Sunday, Dottin appeared to have a brief argument with the off-duty officer before Dottin fired at the cop on the street, prompting the officer to return fire about 2:40 a.m.
Dottin, struck in the left hip, was taken to Brookdale University Hospital in stable condition.
Charges against him were pending.
The cop, who is assigned to the NYPD’s Detective Bureau, was not struck but was taken to Methodist Hospital for ringing in his ears. His name was not released.
Police say Dottin’s .38-caliber revolver was recovered at the scene. They released a photo of the weapon.
Dottin’s loved ones struggled to understand what happened.
“It’s unfortunate that it’s just a replay of what happened...several years ago,” said his uncle, Pastor Raphael Dottin. “It’s only by the grace of God that he’s alive.”
He was trying to get his life back on track and was going to college and looking for jobs, his uncle added.
“He was trying to make the best of his life,” he said. ”And then he’s in the wheelchair but he doesn’t let the wheelchair restrict him, so sometimes he goes out with his friends.”
He tried to visit him in the hospital but was blocked by a police officer guarding the room.
©2018 New York Daily News