Chaos broke out on a Brooklyn block Wednesday morning after a domestic abuse suspect allegedly shot a cop in the foot, then wound up being wounded himself after exchanging gunfire with other officers.
It was reported that at around 8:36 am on Dec. 21, officers from the 79th Precinct were responding to a domestic dispute at 277 Gates Ave. in Clinton Hill. According to police sources, a woman residing at that location called 911 stating that a suspect, 41-year-old Raheen Joye of Sackett Street Brooklyn, allegedly refused to leave her apartment and was causing damage to her walls. Four officers arrived at the scene spotting the 911 caller and suspect outside of the building. Upon investigation, NYPD members attempted to arrest Joye for criminal mischief. During the attempted arrest, Joye reportedly fired a 9mm handgun he had concealed in his pocket striking one of the officers in the foot.
“After an investigation it was determined that the male was going to be placed under arrest for the criminal mischief of the wall. As the officers attempted to place the male in custody, a struggle ensued. A shot was fired striking our officer in the right foot,” NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said during a press conference at NYC Health + Hospital/Kings County.
The suspect took off on foot, heading toward the vicinity of Bedford Avenue and Monroe Street with a gun in his right hand. Responding officers arrived at the intersection where an exchange of gunfire occurred. Joye was shot two times in the thigh before being taken into custody. A total of six shots were fired by police and three shots by Joye.
“A total of three shots were fired by a perpetrator and three shell casings, 9mm were recovered. One shell casing was recovered at 277 Gates Avenue where officer was shot in the foot and two shell casings were recovered in front of 184 Monroe Street with the exchange of gunfire,” Chief Essig said.
Joye is said to have 17 prior arrests in the state of Georgia between 1998 and 2014. According to Essig most of these arrests were for low level drug crimes and a DWI, excluding two arrests arrests which involved a gun, one for discharging a firearm in 2005 and another for criminal possession of a weapon in 2007. Joye also has a warrant for weapons possession from Troy, New York.
The officer was transported by EMS to Kings County Hospital in stable condition, and Joye was transported to Brookdale Hospital. A light blue 9mm firearm was recovered at the scene of the arrest.
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell and NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey also responded to the scene of the shooting.
During a press conference at NYC Health + Hospital/Kings County top police officials, Police Commissioner Sewell, Mayor Eric Adams and Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch visited the wounded officers and shared detail regarding the investigation.
Commissioner Sewell underscored that ten officers have been shot in the line of duty during nine incidents.
“This is the 10th officer shot this year in nine separate incidents. The shootings of your NYPD officers go back to New Year’s Day this year. And here we are again. As this year comes to a close. The strength and resilience of the NYPD will never waver. Our members have sworn to help to face danger to assist the victims of crime and apprehend dangerous criminals across this city every day. And as we have seen it is at great risk to themselves. I am deeply grateful for their courage and commitment. They deserve our respect. And we need your support,” Commissioner Sewell said.
Mayor Adams emphasized that approximately 7,000 illegal guns have been removed this year, with about 4,400 arrests. He added that as the year concludes shootings and homicides are decreasing.
“It just shows how much of this coordinated effort of the New York City Police Department and other law enforcement agencies involved have been clear on the mission, removing guns, removing dangerous people that are carrying guns, and now is an obligation for every part of the criminal justice system to play that same level of aggressive role so that we can ensure dangerous people don’t remain on our streets,” Adams said.
The officer injured at today’s incident was released from the hospital this afternoon to a hero’s discharge. He is a seven year veteran of the NYPD.
The investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
