Man Shot, Wounded By Officer After Refusing To Drop Knife In The Bronx, Police Say

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man was shot and wounded by police in the Bronx Wednesday night after he allegedly refused to drop a knife.

Around 7:15 p.m., officers from the 41st Precinct were called after a man was allegedly seen bearing a woman outside at Tiffany Street and Westchester Avenue, according to Patrol Borough Bronx Commanding Officer Larry Nikunen.

When officers arrived, they were approached by a woman who said her 19-year-old boyfriend, Shamel Jones, had assaulted her, Nikunen said.

The woman had visible injuries to her eye and forehead, Nikunen said.

The officers took the woman on a canvass and she pointed out Jones, Nikunen said. The officers went up to Jones, but he fled into the building at 877 Intervale Ave., Nikunen said.

The two responding officers followed him, along with a third officer and a lieutenant, Nikunen said. Jones went into an apartment in the building, and officers followed him upon being let in by another man, Nikunen said.

The officers saw Jones in the kitchen brandishing a "very large" knife – about 12 inches in length with a 7-inch blade, Nikunen alleged.

Officers ordered Jones to drop the knife, but he refused, Nikunen alleged. The lieutenant sprayed pepper spray at Jones, but he kept advancing at the officers with the knife anyway, Nikunen alleged.

One officer then fired a shot and struck Jones in the lower left back, Nikunen said. Jones was taken to Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, where he was in critical condition and in surgery late Wednesday, Nikunen said.

Another 911 call supported the officers' report that the man advanced toward the officer with the knife in his hand, Nikunen said.

At least one officer was also hospitalized as a precaution, police said. Nikunen said he did not know of any officers being injured.

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• Bronx
• The Bronx