NYPD officers shoot armed suspect after responding to 911 calls in Washington Heights, police say
NEW YORK -- A man is in the hospital and under arrest after being shot by police in Washington Heights on Thursday morning.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said he pointed a gun at officers who were responding to a car accident he was involved in near the Henry Hudson Parkway.
It was a chaotic morning at 177th Street and Haven Avenue, according to police. They said a 19-year-old suspect was taken into custody.
It all started at around 3 a.m., when multiple 911 calls came in about a car accident near 177th and Haven that closed the on ramp leading to the George Washington Bridge.
When police arrived, officials say a man and a woman were in a black car that was stolen. The man allegedly came out of the car wearing a mask and carrying a gun before pointing it at the responding officers.
A neighbor said he saw and heard it all from his apartment window.
"I heard what seemed like 10 shots," Richard Roger said. "I immediately stuck my head out and I saw the officer, scared stiff it seemed, with his gun out, pointing to a guy laying on the ground. He wasn't in the car. He was further up from the car."
Roger said the street quickly became chaotic as a swarm of police cars arrived at the scene. The NYPD said eight shots were fired at the suspect, and at least two struck the man in the chest. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to be okay. No officers were shot or injured in the incident.
"Second time in four days our cops respond to help people in their community and are met with an immediate attack and have to defend themselves," Chell said. "Inside that vehicle, we do have a note indicating that the individual wanted to commit suicide for various things going on in his life. But he also apologized to our cops for what was about to happen."
Police released an image of a gun they say the suspect used to point at the officers. Charges are pending and the incident remains under investigation.
Anyone with any information about the investigation is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.