An officer shot an alleged shoplifter with a knife inside a Whole Foods in Harlem on Saturday night, police say. Ken Buffa reports.
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A 28-year-old man was shot by an officer at a Whole Foods in Harlem Saturday night, police say
An officer shot the man after he refused to put down a knife and charged at the officer, according to police
The suspect was hospitalized but is expected to be OK; several officers were taken to a hospital for observation
An officer shot and injured an alleged shoplifter who was wielding a knife inside a Whole Foods in Manhattan on Saturday night, police say.
Officers responded to the store at West 125th Street and Lenox Avenue in Harlem around 8 p.m. after they got a call about a man being held by a security guard for trying to steal from the store, according to police.
When NYPD officers arrived, the 28-year-old man became combative, pulled out a knife and charged at one of the officers, police said, adding that at least some of the confrontation was captured on video.
The man allegedly didn't heed warnings to drop the knife and one officer shot twice at him, according to police, who cautioned that the information they were providing was preliminary.
NYPD Handout
Police say this is the knife a man was holding when he charged at an officer in a Whole Foods in Harlem.
Video and photos from the scene appear to show the man being wheeled away on a stretcher as crowds gather outside the Whole Foods. Witnesses described hiding in the aisles of the store as the incident unfolded.
Police said the suspect was taken to Harlem Hospital in stable condition with a possible gunshot wound to his shoulder.
Several officers were also taken to a nearby hospital for observation.
Witnesses tell me they heard a person had a gun and hid in the isles of the Whole Foods in Harlem. Near 125th. @NBCNewYorkpic.twitter.com/SprtdBmPlt
There’s been a police involved shooting at 100 W.125 St., confines of @NYPD28Pct. An armed suspect has been shot and is in custody. No other injuries or outstanding suspects. More information to follow. pic.twitter.com/0JXRf9znXl
Crime scene tape was up at a Whole Foods in Harlem after a police-involved shooting.
"I can say that there were no shoppers in danger," Assistant Chief Kathleen O'Reilly, of the NYPD, said at a press conference a couple hours after the shooting.
Police tape was up at the store as detectives investigated. A makeshift sign at the entrance read: "Closed for the evening."
The suspect -- identified Sunday as Michael Vasquez -- has an extensive criminal record and is on parole, according to police, who said he has tried to shoplift from the same Whole Foods in the past.
Vasquez was charged Sunday with attempted assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, and petit larceny.
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A protester against gun violence holds a picture of shooting victim Chase Kowalski (7) as thousands of people march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York, United States. More than 800 March for Our Lives events, organized by survivors of the Parkland, Florida school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead, are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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Thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York City. More than 800 March for Our Lives events, organized by survivors of the Parkland, Florida school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead, are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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Rocio Klotz, age 6, joins thousands of people, many of them students, as they march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York City. More than 800 March for Our Lives events, organized by survivors of the Parkland, Florida school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead, are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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Young protestors attend the March For Our Lives in Manhattan, March 24, 2018 in New York City. Thousands of demonstrators, including students, teachers and parents are gathering in Washington, New York City and other cities across the country for an anti-gun violence rally organized by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead. More than 800 related events are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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People listen to speakers from outside the rally perimeter in Central Park during the March For Our Lives, March 24, 2018 in New York City. Thousands of demonstrators, including students, teachers and parents are gathering in Washington, New York City and other cities across the country for an anti-gun violence rally organized by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead. More than 800 related events are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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A young protester holds up a sign during the March For Our Lives in Manhattan, March 24, 2018 in New York City. Thousands of demonstrators, including students, teachers and parents are gathering in Washington, New York City and other cities across the country for an anti-gun violence rally organized by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead. More than 800 related events are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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Protesters attend the March For Our Lives just north of Columbus Circle, March 24, 2018 in New York City. Thousands of demonstrators, including students, teachers and parents are gathering in Washington, New York City and other cities across the country for an anti-gun violence rally organized by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead. More than 800 related events are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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Protestors attend the March For Our Lives just north of Columbus Circle, March 24, 2018 in New York City.
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Supporters of President Donald Trump (wearing hats) counter-protest during the March For Our Lives, March 24, 2018 in New York City.
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Thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York City.
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The rally down Sixth Avenue as seen from above Central Park.
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Mayor de Blasio estimated 150,000 people took part in the march in New York City.
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Marchers near Rockefeller Center.
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A child marches on Sixth Avenue.
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Mayor de Blasio tweeted out this photo of the march.
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Marchers walk down Central Park West, near Trump International Hotel.
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A girl holds a sign saying, "I am the future."
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Sir Paul McCartney joins thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York.
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Marchers hold since with slogans like, "No more silence, end gun violence" and "Never again."
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The march went along Central Park West and into Midtown.
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Signs could be seen for blocks.
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Many of the signs took aim at the National Rifle Association.
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Marchers pose for a photo near Central Park.
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Marchers head down Central Park West on their way to Columbus Circle.
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A view of the crowd along Central Park West.
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There were many students and children in attendance.
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A crowd of marchers in Midtown.
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A line of marchers outside the American Museum of Natural History.
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Homemade signs abounded at the march.
