A New York Police Department officer has been rushed to hospital in critical condition after a suspect shot him in the head and chest in Queens. Authorities have initiated a massive manhunt.
The plainclothes NYPD cop had reportedly been on duty with a group of anti-crime officers in Queens Village when he was shot, according to New York Daily News. The shooting happened at 6:15pm local time on 104th Ave. and 212th St., FDNY said.
The suspect allegedly shot the officer three times, hitting him twice. The officer was rushed to Jamaica Hospital where he underwent a surgery. According to Daily News’ source, his injuries were not life-threatening. The injured policeman is a five-year veteran, according to the NYPD.
A wide-scale manhunt has been launched for the gunman who managed to flee the scene. The area was immediately sealed off by the cops, who closed exits to the Belt Parkway. SWAT team and canine units were sweeping the area.
Witnesses on the ground say that the assailant might have got away in the car. One person was in custody as of Saturday night, but there is as of yet no confirmation that it is the shooter, sources said.
The shooting comes five months after two NYPD cops were shot and killed at point blank range in Brooklyn. Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were “executed” by Ismaaiyl Brinsley in an apparent “revenge” for the officer-involved deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
