NYPD Officers Fatally Shoot Man After He Opens Fire on Them and Threatens a Hospital
A deadly confrontation between NYPD officers and an armed man ended in tragedy on the Upper East Side Thursday night. The 20-year-old suspect allegedly opened fire on police, threatening to shoot up Mount Sinai Hospital while also brandishing his gun at civilians.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident began when the suspect was spotted speaking with another person in a residential building's elevator. He then pulled out a gun and pointed it at the other man until the elevator stopped on the first floor. The suspect walked into a nearby deli, where he allegedly pointed his firearm at a worker and told him to call 911.
The suspect fled the scene, stole a phone from the worker, and headed south on Madison Avenue towards Mount Sinai Hospital. He entered the hospital for a brief moment before leaving and placing his gun near a tree outside. Witnesses described the man as "disorderly" and said he threatened an off-duty NYPD officer working a security detail.
The suspect eventually exited the building and retrieved his gun, leading police to chase him down. In the ensuing confrontation, the suspect allegedly opened fire at the officers on the sidewalk, prompting them to return fire. The suspect was struck by gunfire and later succumbed to his injuries in an NYPD car.
"I can only imagine how terrifying it must be for our officers who put their lives on the line every day," said Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera. "But this is a different kind of danger when someone uses violence directly against law enforcement."
The incident has left residents shaken, including one neighbor who witnessed the suspect approaching her family's nanny while walking dogs. The woman described how the suspect bumped into her and then suddenly opened fire, causing her to hide behind a car.
As police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, they have recovered the suspect's gun from the scene. The motive for the man's actions remains unclear, but officials say that every day, NYPD officers face potentially deadly situations as they work to keep New York City safe.
A deadly confrontation between NYPD officers and an armed man ended in tragedy on the Upper East Side Thursday night. The 20-year-old suspect allegedly opened fire on police, threatening to shoot up Mount Sinai Hospital while also brandishing his gun at civilians.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident began when the suspect was spotted speaking with another person in a residential building's elevator. He then pulled out a gun and pointed it at the other man until the elevator stopped on the first floor. The suspect walked into a nearby deli, where he allegedly pointed his firearm at a worker and told him to call 911.
The suspect fled the scene, stole a phone from the worker, and headed south on Madison Avenue towards Mount Sinai Hospital. He entered the hospital for a brief moment before leaving and placing his gun near a tree outside. Witnesses described the man as "disorderly" and said he threatened an off-duty NYPD officer working a security detail.
The suspect eventually exited the building and retrieved his gun, leading police to chase him down. In the ensuing confrontation, the suspect allegedly opened fire at the officers on the sidewalk, prompting them to return fire. The suspect was struck by gunfire and later succumbed to his injuries in an NYPD car.
"I can only imagine how terrifying it must be for our officers who put their lives on the line every day," said Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera. "But this is a different kind of danger when someone uses violence directly against law enforcement."
The incident has left residents shaken, including one neighbor who witnessed the suspect approaching her family's nanny while walking dogs. The woman described how the suspect bumped into her and then suddenly opened fire, causing her to hide behind a car.
As police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, they have recovered the suspect's gun from the scene. The motive for the man's actions remains unclear, but officials say that every day, NYPD officers face potentially deadly situations as they work to keep New York City safe.