Two suspects in the shooting of an off-duty cop in Queens on Sunday morning are now in custody after leading police on a wild pursuit across the borough.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the 25-year-old off-duty NYPD officer parked his flashy, green BMW along 43rd Avenue and 21st Street in Long Island City at around 6:01 a.m. on April 27 when two men approached him.
The sources reported that the two suspects became entangled in a struggle with the off-duty cop, possibly in an attempt to rob or carjack him. During the struggle, a gunman opened fire, striking the cop in the leg.
Though the suspects fled, the wounded off-duty cop got into his BMW and fled the location. He eventually drove to the corner of 31st Road and 21st Street in Astoria, where he stopped and was met by first responders.
EMS rushed him to Mount Sinai Queens Hospital in Astoria, where he was listed in stable condition.
Meanwhile, officers managed to pursue the suspects inside of a vehicle all the way to the intersection of 33rd Avenue and Union Street in Flushing.
After authorities stopped the car, the perpetrators – one wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and one wearing a green hooded sweatshirt – took off running.
Heavily armed police officers and K9 responded by tracking both suspects within a few blocks of one another. amNewYork observed one man wearing a white hoodie being stuffed into the back of a police vehicle.
Meanwhile, officers could be seen searching the suspect’s vehicle and removing evidence in a plastic bag.
Charges against the suspects are pending, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Police Union head Patrick Hendry charged against the shooting.
“We are grateful that our police officer will recover and the suspects are already in custody. However, this attack is yet another symptom of the message on our streets, which has emboldened criminals and put cops and all New Yorkers at risk. We need our justice system to step up and help us change that message, PBA President Hendry said.
