Police Probe Officers' Shooting That Left Man Dead In Jamaica, Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Police spent the day processing the crime scene Thursday, a day after officers shot and killed a suspect who had allegedly fired at them in Jamaica, Queens.
As CBS2's Andrea Grymes reported, police used a metal detector as they scoured the residential block where NYPD officers shot and killed an armed suspect.
"They had to take him down somehow," said Bahalul Syed, who works in the neighborhood.
Police said they only opened fire on the suspect – identified as Jonathan Efraim, 30 – after he shot at officers.
Man Who Allegedly Fired Shots At Officers Fatally Shot By Police In Queens
Investigators said it all started inside the Irish Hillside Inn Bar at 168th Street and Hillside Avenue in Jamaica, Queens. Police told CBS2 they got a report of that suspect shooting a gun inside around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, but no one was hit.
"He was drinking in the bar for several hours, and he got into an argument with one of the patrons there. As the bartender intervened, he tried to get him outside, at which time Mr. Efraim -- Jonathan Efraim -- pulled out a gun and fired one time into the ceiling," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said.
Working at a deli across the street from the bar, a man named Alex told 1010 WINS a terrified woman ran out of the bar and asked to use his phone to call 911.
"We all ran out of the store, and we saw the people pointing for the cops that he ran up the street and that's when we heard the gunshots," Alex told 1010 WINS' John Montone.
Man Who Allegedly Fired Shots At Officers Fatally Shot By Police In Queens
Investigators said the suspect fled the bar - heading up 168th Street to the next block at Highland Avenue – which was around where officers caught up with him. Police said the officers shouted: 'Police! Don't move!" but Efraim did not listen.
Police said they chased Efraim toward 168th Place - where the suspect stopped, turned and fired at officers. Again, no one was hit, police said.
The suspect continued around the block - where investigators said for a second time he stopped, turned and pointed his gun at police. At that point, police said two uniformed officers fired five shots - hitting the man in the torso.
"We have him on video twice with a gun in his hand," Boyce told reporters, including WCBS 880's Marla Diamond. "He fires a total of three rounds -- one in the bar and two at our officers responding. So initially right now, as this investigation is still going, at this point it appears to be justified."
Police released a picture of the suspect's loaded 9mm Glock - which they said they recovered at the scene.
A witness said he heard the gunshots.
"It was a boom, because it happened right here," he said.
Syed also heard shots ring out while he was working.
"I saw the guy down there," he said. "The ambulance came and they were trying to pump him up; wake him up."
That suspect later died at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. The two officers who fired the shots were treated for ringing in their ears.
Efraim served in the Marine Corps from June 2004 to March 2007, police said. Details of his service weren't immediately available.
Boyce said Efraim had more than a dozen arrests for violent felonies in New Jersey and on Staten Island.
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