Man armed with machete shot by police in the Bronx, NYPD says
NEW YORK -- The NYPD says a man wielding a machete was shot and wounded by police late Wednesday night in the Bronx.
Police say the officers were responding to a 911 call about a domestic disturbance.
It happened just before 11 p.m. at Third at Bankside on Third Avenue in the Mott Haven section.
Police say man pulled out a machete
Detectives said a 24-year-old man and a woman were arguing when officers arrived. They were on the scene for about 20 minutes before things intensified.
NYPD Chief Ben Gurley provided an update overnight, saying the officers first used a Taser on the man.
"The male produced a machete. One of my cops discharged a Taser to try to deter the male from using the machete. Then, one of the other cops, when the Taser wasn't successful, fired one round from his 9mm handgun, striking that male in the left arm," Gurley said.
The man was taken to Lincoln Hospital in stable condition. So far, no charges have been announced.
Investigators said the machete was recovered at the scene.
One building resident said it was a tense situation.
"We leaving, and all of a sudden we see police coming in, shots fired. Your hear all this stuff and think, I need to get to safety fast because now my heart is out of my chest," the resident said.
While the community remained on edge Thursday, some questioned the NYPD's tactics.
"I would hope the officers used their best judgment in the moment of," one person said.
"I am not a person that goes to violence as a first answer. I believe there is always a way around it," another said.
Building management said the safety of its residents is its top priority, adding, "Last night's isolated incident is deeply regrettable," and that the man who was shot was not a resident.
Anyone with information about the incident 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.
