Brooklyn police engaged in an armed standoff with a suspect on Monday that ended with officers opening fire — killing him while a bystander was injured in the process, police and sources said.
According to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, cops in an unmarked police vehicle were canvassing along 57th Street and Remsen Avenue in East Flatbush at about 5:50 p.m. on March 18 after receiving several 911 calls reported that gunfire erupted in the area.
As the cops turned the corner, Chell said, they apparently came across a man chasing two people with a firearm.
“They see a male chasing another male and female firing numerous rounds trying to shoot them. Our officers jump out quickly and they take care of the threat,” Chief Chell charged. “The male was shot numerous times and pronounced dead at Kings County Hospital.”
Authorities say they are still examining how the suspect knew the two people he had been chasing.
Shell casings lay strewn around the scene while Chief Chell praised his officers, stating that they saved a life for gunning down the 20-year-old gunman. However, a 60-year-old man was also apparently caught in the crossfire while working nearby, being shot twice.
Although cops said he is expected to survive his injuries, they reported they are still investigating how he took two bullets.
“We’re not sure how that occurred,” Chief Chell said.
Sources familiar with the investigation report that it is unclear who shot the bystander, whether it was the gunman or the officers. The circumstances won’t be made known until the slug is removed from the victim and compared to the firearm.
A local man described the movement the terrifying incident unfolded.
“All I heard was, pow, pow, pow and then a loud scream,” Richard Anderson said.
The officers involved in the shooting were also evaluated at a local hospital but were ultimately unharmed.
