Police officers shot a suspect who opened fire on and wounded four men during a dispute near an Inwood lounge early Monday morning, law enforcement sources said.
The injured male perpetrator is now undergoing surgery at Harlem Hospital as detectives continue to investigate the events that transpired, Chief of Patrol Juanita Holmes told reporters at a press conference near the scene.
According to Holmes, the trouble began at about 4 a.m. on Sept. 27, when a group of individuals became engaged in a verbal dispute near a lounge at 1111 10th Ave.
Officers from the 34th Precinct, in a marked patrol car, drove by the establishment at the time and noticed the dispute in progress. Holmes said the officers exited their vehicle and spoke with security guards at the location, who appeared to calm things down.
At that point, Holmes told reporters, several members of the group walked away southbound on 10th Avenue toward West 211th Street. Seconds later, several shots rang out, forcing the officers to take cover.
“We return fire. We hit the individual that possessed the firearm, and in addition to that, I believe there were four other victims that were injured,” Holmes said.
The gunman took a bullet to his hip, published reports indicated. He’s expected to survive his injury.
The other four victims, all men, were taken to local hospitals for treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening, the chief noted. It’s believed the gunman was responsible for their injuries.
Police recovered a handgun that the perpetrator used in the shooting.
The case has been presented to the NYPD Force Investigation Division, which examines shootings involving police officers.
Hours after the shooting, City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez held a press conference with community leaders condemning the shooting and urging the de Blasio Administration to beef up police presence int the area.
“Our community is very concerned with the level of violence we are experiencing in our community. Working class and middle class New Yorkers deserve to feel safe in their community,” said Rodriguez. “Federal law enforcement must work alongside our local police officers to stop the flow of firearms into our streets. As a Council member of this community and as a member of the public safety committee, I am calling on City Hall to increase the number of police officers in our neighborhood.”
Congressman Adriano Espaillat echoed those sentiments.
“The safety and well-being of our residents and our communities remains one of our foremost priorities, and it will take each of us working together in collaboration with law enforcement to strengthen the security and safety in our neighborhoods,” he added. “By working with my colleagues and other local elected officials, I vow to not stop fighting to ensure our residents and their families feel safe in the places they call home.”
