Suspect wounded in police-involved shooting in North Amityville
NORTH AMITYVILLE, N.Y. -- Suffolk County Police say there was a police-involved shooting on Wednesday afternoon in North Amityville.
One man had to be airlifted to the hospital.
"He jumped over a fence. Our officers pursued him. In that backyard, that individual, we have learned his name to be Jayvon Bell, pulled out a black firearm and fired at least one round at our officers. Our officers returned fire several times, striking him on the right side of his body," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said.
Police say Bell, 21, was placed under arrest and airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was undergoing surgery to the right side of his torso. His injuries are considered non-life threatening.
Police say they recovered his weapon in a Maple Road backyard. Area residents were left on edge.
"I hope my neighbors are okay. That's, you know, I hope they are okay," one man said.
"You know, there are guns around. That's scary," a woman said.
"This is out of control," a man said.
"This is very unfair to us," a woman added.
Police say Bell, who was wanted for a taxi robbery in May and menacing with a gun in June, was spotted Wednesday by officers canvassing the area, adding they ordered him to stop and put down his gun. Instead, they say he fired at the officers but thankfully missed.
Two officers suffered ringing in the ears during the exchange of gunfire, but were treated and released from the hospital. The suspect will be arraigned on extensive charges once he recovers from surgery, police said.