Man Fatally Shot By Police Following 'Running Gun Battle' In East New York, Brooklyn, Sources Say
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - One person was killed in a police-involved shooting in the East New York section of Brooklyn on Thursday afternoon.
One plainclothes sergeant and two plainclothes officers from the 76th precinct were in the area of Fountain and Blake avenues shortly before 4 p.m. The anti-crime team was there based on information about a possible retaliatory gang shooting near the Cypress Hills housing development, Chief of Patrol Terry Monahan said.
Police saw a man running from the housing development and followed him in their car for two blocks, Monahan said. When the sergeant and one officer got out of the car, the man allegedly drew a gun and fired in their direction.
Police shot back, then chased the man into the backyard of 890 Belmont Avenue, where one officer fired again, fatally striking the suspect, Monahan said.
Sources described the scene as a "running gun battle."
Nearly 20 shots were fired, WCBS 880's Myles Miller reported.
"I was coming down the block and heard several shots," resident Mitchell Pendleton told CBS2's Jessica Layton.
News of any potential gang activity had neighbors, especially those with children, nervous to go outside.
"I have a young one, and I do my best to keep him near me," one woman said.
This 32 Caliber revolver used by the suspect was recovered in the rear of 890 Belmont Avenue. pic.twitter.com/t5jMnzNGYI
— Sgt. Carlos Nieves (@NYPDNieves) February 16, 2017
Police recovered a .32 caliber revolver at the scene. An investigation is ongoing, and the man has not been identified.
One officer was taken to Jamaica Hospital for observation.