NEW YORK (AP) — A manhunt was underway Sunday for a gunman who critically wounded an off-duty New York Police Department officer who arranged on social media to meet at a Brooklyn street address to buy a car, authorities said.
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When the officer arrived with a relative in the borough’s East New York neighborhood, the gunman announced a robbery and displayed a gun, leading to an exchange of gunfire that wounded the officer, according to Michael Baldassano, assistant chief of the NYPD Detectives Bureau.
Baldassano told a news conference late Saturday that the gunman fled the scene and the officer was taken to Brookdale Hospital. He asked anyone with information to contact police.
Baldassano, responding to a question, said there was no reason to believe that the gunman knew that the officer worked for the police department, but it was a question that remained under investigation.
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the critically wounded officer was a five-year NYPD veteran assigned to the patrol division.
“He is currently fighting for his life,” Sewell said.
Mayor Eric Adams, attending the news conference with Sewell, vowed to “catch the person responsible.”
At Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn NY. An off duty NYPD officer was shot in the head during a car sale.
NYPD officers gather in the walkway of the hospital
Some reports state the officer passed away. But he didn't. He's on life support #NYPD #NYC #LawEnforcement pic.twitter.com/RTYNtqJqUT— Viral News NY (@ViralNewsNYC) February 5, 2023
He blamed the shooting on “too many illegal guns … in the hands of bad people.”
Patrick Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association, called on state legislators to find ways to attack gun and violence problems.
“You want to see reality, look at the devastation that those rounds caused to that young man’s body, listen to the cries of a wife, a father, a mother, their children. That’s reality. It’s causing devastation. This has to end,” he said.
This is a terrible story and I hope they catch the dude who did it and the cop is ok.
Why is the heck would someone go and buy a car in east New York?? It’s crime ridden and dangerous. I know that since he was a cop he may have felt he knew what he was doing, but a little seichal?
The cop was buying a car he saw on Facebook Marketplace a favorite of scammers and con artists which is apparently not monitored by Facebook. Numerous vehicles are listed at bargain prices with the identical vehicle with a photo and advertised in a dozen cities coast to coast. Few are from registered owners but from unscrupulous unlicensed sellers who buy high milage trade ins directly from dealers or auctions to resell.
He should have known better.
Hochul what is your plan ? You failed this city Shame on people who voted for her .
This city has gone to helllll !!!
law and order!!!!
bring back trump 2024
bring in the IDF and they’ll find the gunman
The cop is a known supporter of BDS and was born in Pakistan the country where bin laden hid. Dont buy the hype