A burglary suspect was fatally shot by police when he encountered officers during a home invasion in Brooklyn, authorities say. Checkey Beckford reports
What to Know
- Police officers responding to a burglary call in Brooklyn came face-to-face with a suspect after he hopped a fence, officials say
- The man pointed his gun at the officers at arm's length, and the two officers fired their guns
- The 39-year-old suspect died at the hospital; a second suspect is at large
Police shot and killed a burglary suspect after he allegedly pointed a revolver at them during a home invasion in Brooklyn, authorities said.
Officers were responding to a 911 call for a burglary on 78th Street in Bensonhurst Monday when they said they spotted the suspect trying to escape. He had pushed a third-floor air-conditioning unit from the window and was climbing down the fire escape, officials said.
He landed in the backyard below and hopped a fence, but ended up face-to-face with a sergeant and an officer, according to NYPD Chief of Department James O'Neill.
Apt. where alleged burglars kicked out AC unit to escape police b4 one was critically wounded by officer #nbc4ny pic.twitter.com/vGdcQu9Kkj
— Checkey Beckford (@Checkey4NY) July 12, 2016
"As the suspect came over the wall, the sergeant was right there," said O'Neill. "He actually had to push his arm away. It was close, up close."
O'Neill said that the man had a revolver and pointed it at the sergeant. The sergeant tried to knock the gun away, and he and the other officer each fired their guns at the suspect, who was hit twice.
He was taken to Coney Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Local
A neighbor, Anna Roman, told NBC 4 New York she saw the suspect's face covered in blood as he was taken into the ambulance.
Police said seven adults and an infant were inside the burglarized apartment. Residents said a second suspect fled the scene wearing what looked like a construction hardhat. Police are still looking for that suspect.
The 39-year-old suspect who died has not been identified. Police officials couldn't say whether he fired his weapon in the tussle with officers, but the firearm was recovered at the scene.
It's the second police-involved shooting in Brooklyn in as many days. On Sunday morning, cops shot an armed man who witnesses said was displaying "total irrational behavior" in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens.
Anyone with information about the suspect should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
