NYPD Releases Harrowing Surveillance Video Of Naked Suspect Firing At Officer
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- NYPD officials released harrowing surveillance video of the moments leading up to the shooting of an officer during a deadly struggle with a suspect early Wednesday morning in Harlem.
Christopher Wintermute, a 34-year-old, seven-year veteran of the force, was struck once in his bullet-resistant vest. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by his family and met with a warm applause from his brothers in blue when he was discharged five hours later.
Watch: NYPD Release Surveillance Video, Details Of Shooting Of Officer In Harlem
Deputy Chief Kevin Maloney said officers responded to a 911 call at 1:51 a.m. When the officers arrived, they spoke with the 911 caller and then started to look around the building. The caller told police her superintendent was harassing people, banging on doors and breaking glass.
When they went to the second floor, police said Victor Hernandez, naked and armed with a pistol, took up a shooting stance and waited for the oncoming officers, who were around the corner from him.
Web Extra: Mayor, Police Commissioner Provide Update On Harlem Shooting
When Officer Wintermute turned the corner and saw Hernandez, "a violent struggle ensued," Maloney said.
"During the struggle, shots were fired by the subject and by police officer Wintermute. The shot fired by the subject struck police officer Wintermute on the left side of his chest and was stopped by his ballistic vest," Maloney said.
After shooting Wintermute, Hernandez dropped his gun, and then struggle with Wintermute over the officer's pistol, Maloney said.
Other responding officers opened fire, killing Hernandez. He was shot 10 times.
Hernandez, 29, was the building's superintendent. His mother is an NYPD officer. He has six prior arrests, all for domestic violence incidents, Maloney said. The last arrest was in 2014. Toxicology results are pending, but they say he has no history with the NYPD of drugs or any emotionally disturbed incidents.
Police released surveillance video of the harrowing encounter, which shows Hernandez waiting to open fire, shooting Wintermute who falls to the ground, and then the two struggling.
Police said he had prior run-ins with police, including multiple domestic violence incidents.
Wintermute's bodycam was damaged in the incident.
WATCH: NYPD Officer Released From Hospital After Being Shot In Harlem
Wintermute is assigned to the 32nd Precinct on West 135th Street.
A 9mm handgun was recovered on the scene.
It was the fourth police-involved shooting in the city in the past nine days.
According to the NYPD, there have been 47 police-involved shootings to date. Last year there was 27. In 2017, there were 43. In 2016, 60. And in 2015, 54.
Police say there is also bodycam footage. While Wintermute's bodycam was damaged, it has been sent out for forensic analysis.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office will conduct an investigation into what happened.
