2 NYPD officers shot in Brooklyn; Suspect in custody
NEW YORK - A man was taken into custody Tuesday after he allegedly shot two NYPD officers in Brooklyn.
The officers were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was also shot and listed in critical but stable condition.
"As I'm entering the building, I hear shots -- pow, pow," neighbor Nova Fuller said.
NYPD officials said this all unfolded just before 3:30 p.m. when one sergeant and three officers responded to a call for a domestic assault in a second floor apartment at 19-69 Bergen St. near Saratoga Avenue.
Police said a woman was being assaulted by her son and complained of a head injury.
That man has been identified as 39-year-old Melvin Butler.
Watch: NYPD provides update on 2 officers shot in Brooklyn
A violent encounter with officers ensued when Butler was asked to put hands behind his back. There was a struggle for one of the officer's guns.
"Immediately as they're struggling, they're going to the ground, and then you hear an officer state, 'He has my gun,' and then shots are fired," NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenney said.
During that time, both officers were shot -- one was hit in the hand, the other in the leg.
Police said at least one officer returned fire, hitting the suspect in the leg and stomach.
"There's a suspect, there's blood, there's glass, and my kids start crying, so this is not even good for my kids to see," Fuller said.
Watch Alecia Reid's report
Police said Butler had a history of domestic violence and resisting arrest. He has six priors in New York City and one in North Carolina. One of those priors was an attempted murder charge where he served 15 years in prison.
Law enforcement officials said the suspect was brazen.
"He thought nothing would happen to him. Our system is broken. At every step of way, our criminal justice system is broken, and it needs to change," Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said.
"This was a horrific incident, that because of their action, a dangerous person is apprehended and we have two officers that will be going home to their families," Mayor Eric Adams said.
"We're going to follow this case and make sure that this individual who shot two New York City police officers stays behind bars because we know cases like this before, the individual gets back out on the streets," Hendry said.
Police officials said this was a routine call for officers, who are veterans. One has been with the NYPD nine-and-a-half years, and the other for 16 years.
They are both expected to survive. Investigators are checking body-worn cameras for further evidence.
The suspect is in police custody in the hospital. Charges are pending.