JAMAICA, Queens (PIX11) — An NYPD officer was shot in Jamaica, Queens Wednesday after responding to a dispute on an MTA bus, according to police.
The 22-year-old rookie officer was shot once in the hip at 90-23 161st St. during a struggle with a man around 3:20 p.m., according to NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig.
Prior to the shooting, two officers were flagged down by an MTA bus driver who told them a man was arguing with another passenger over a seat, authorities said.
When the officers approached the bus, the suspect exited through the front door. The officers tried to stop him, but the man allegedly pushed them and fled northbound on 161st Street, according to Essig.
The 22-year-old officer caught up with the suspect at 90-23 161st St. but was shot during a brief struggle with the man, authorities said. A second officer fired twice at the suspect. Police weren’t sure if the suspect was hit.
The injured officer underwent surgery and was in stable condition, expected to survive, as of Wednesday night, authorities said. The cop has been on the job for less than a year. Officials haven’t publicly released his identity.
“He was where our communities tell us they want their officers to be, standing a foot post. He was flagged down by a community member who needed help. He was taking police action. Then he was shot,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
The suspect fled the area and was last seen at 161st Street and Hillside Avenue, police said. A surveillance image of the suspect showed him wearing a white T-shirt and black pants.
A $10,000 reward is available for information that leads to the suspect’s arrest.
“We are going to need your assistance in identifying and apprehending this offender. He should be considered armed and dangerous,” Sewell said.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
