Earlier this morning, officers from the New York City Department were shot while confronting an armed suspect in Queens. The officers have been discharged from the hospital and are recovering.
The suspect, a 19-year-old residing at a migrant shelter, was apprehended after the incident. He entered the United States from Venezuela through Eagle Pass, Texas, in July 2023. While he has no prior arrests in New York City, he is suspected to be involved in multiple robberies across the country, particularly in Queens.
The officers were investigating a series of robberies involving mopeds and scooters when they attempted to stop the suspect, who was riding a moped in the wrong direction. A chase ensued, during which the suspect fired at the officers. One officer was struck in the bulletproof vest, while the other sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. Fortunately, both officers are now out of the hospital.
The suspect was shot in the right ankle during the confrontation and is currently in police custody. Authorities are looking into more than 80 robbery incidents related to scooters and mopeds throughout the city.
