A disagreement on an MTA bus ultimately led to an NYPD officer getting shot by a suspect in Jamaica, Queens, police said.
The incident happened just before 3:30 p.m. near 161st Street and Jamaica Avenue. The rookie officer, who has been policing the streets for three months, was taken to Jamaica Hospital.
Police said at a press conference that the 22-year-old officer was shot in the hip and is expected to survive.
"He was where our communities tell us they want their officers to be: Standing a footpost. He was flagged down by a community member who needed help," said NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. "He was taking police action, then he was shot."
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One person is in custody and is being questioned in connection with the shooting. Police are searching for another suspect, according to the sources.
The incident apparently started on an MTA bus heading east on Jamaica Avenue. The driver got out to flag down two officers, telling them that a man was fighting with another passenger over a seat.
The officers then went to the bus, as a man took off out the front door, pushing officers out of the way as he ran north on 161st Street, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig.
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One of the officers was able to catch up to the man, and a brief struggled ensued, Essig said. The man then fired one shot, striking the officer near the right hip. The other officer then fired twice, but it was not known if the suspect was struck. The man took off on 161st Street and west onto 88th Avenue into a parking garage.
Cellphone video from the scene showed the frantic moments as fellow officers carried the injured officer to safety.
Police said that a black bubble jacket, black mask and orange sweatshirt matching what the suspect was said to be wearing were recovered inside the garage, and the man was seen on video leaving the garage in a white T-shirt and black pants.
He was last seen near 161st Street and Hillside Avenue, and police are searching for him. Commissioner Sewell said the suspect, who has not been identified, should be "considered armed and dangerous." Police believe he is armed because the gun that was used in the shooting has not been recovered.
Streets were closed off in the surrounding area of Jamaica Avenue and 161st Street due to the police response and subsequent investigation. The violent incident played out in broad daylight near a bustling shopping and transportaiton hub.
"Our officers run toward gunshots when others run away. That is what happened today…they place their lives on the line for us," said Mayor Eric Adams during a press conference at the hospital where the injured officer was treated.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to call 1-800-COPSHOT or @NYPDTips.
