Suspect, Bystander Struck By NYPD Gunfire In Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A suspect and a bystander were wounded Friday afternoon in a shooting involving NYPD officers in Mount Vernon Friday afternoon.
Sources told CBS2 the NYPD officers were conducting an undercover gun buy on Beekman Avenue in Mount Vernon. One undercover officer was posing as the gun buyer in plain clothes as he met up with the alleged seller in the Bronx and had driven to Mount Vernon at the seller's instruction, police said.
The undercover operation was part of a broader investigation that has been going on for some time, and the officer had purchased several weapons from the subjects of the investigation in the past, sources
said.
When they reached Mount Vernon, the undercover deal went bad, police said.
"At that location, another male got into the car," said NYPD Chief of Department James O'Neill. "There was some discussion, and a gun was put to our undercover's head."
Police said the second man, in the back seat, pointed a gun at the officer's head and demanded the money the officer planned to use for the purpose, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported.
Other members of the NYPD field team – plainclothes officers providing backup for the undercover officer – chased the suspect about half a block and opened fire, sources said. The officers wounded the suspect with the gun, and their gunfire also struck a second man, sources said.
The suspect was wounded in the torso, and condition was reported as stable at Jacobi Medical Center, police said.
An innocent man was caught in the crossfire, police said.
"A 63-year-old man who was standing behind the suspect was also struck by at least two rounds," O'Neill said.
The bystander was also taken to Jacobi Medical Center and was reported in serious condition, police said. He was hit with at least two rounds and was also wounded in the torso, police said.
The suspect's gun was recovered and it turned out to be a BB gun, police said.
"We believe the gun that was put to our undercover's head is a replica of a large semiautomatic pistol," O'Neill said. "It was found behind a house where the suspect fled."
Residents were upset the undercover gun sale went down on their peaceful street.
"I hope, you know, this doesn't happen again here, because we have children around here," Narine said.
"It was so scary," added Upshaw. "I've never, ever experienced nothing like this."
Police late Friday were still looking for the second suspect. Investigators also remained on the scene gathering evidence late Friday night.