A police officer in Brooklyn was slashed and a suspect shot in the leg in Brooklyn Thursday after the armed man refused to drop his weapons, police said.
The violent incident happened in Coney Island on West 8th Street, between Neptune and Surf avenues, just before 1 p.m. A DMV, police stationhouse and fire station are all located on the block where the attack occurred.
Officers who were called about an SUV blocking traffic found a 57-year-old man armed with two knives, one of which was 16 inches long, according to police. The suspect, who lives in the area, was repeatedly ordered to drop the weapons, police said, but he refused.
"These officers rushed to help their fellow officer. As they did, this armed perpetrator began to advance on these officers," said NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. "As the subject continued to charge at the officers, one officer fired four times, striking the man in the leg and shoulder."
Sewell said that despite falling to the ground, the suspect continued to fight with officers and still refused to drop the knife, but eventually was taken into custody.
The police officer was briefly hospitalized, and was released from Coney Island Hospital around 5 p.m. to a round of applause from other members of the NYPD.
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"These officers responded and showed a great level of restraint. And because of that, we saw an officer leave the hospital and a suspect arrested," said Mayor Eric Adams, who was there as the cop left the hospital.
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The suspect, Richard Paris, 57, of Brooklyn, was taken to a hospital in custody, where his condition was described as stable. He is charged with assault on a police officer, attempted assault, menacing a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon.
Police sources said the incident was captured on body camera video. Investigators are looking into what led to the violent encounter, but the police commissioner commended how the officers responded.
"While we don't know the motive, we know the actions of these officers exemplify New York's Finest," Commissioner Sewell said.
