NYPD detective shot in Brooklyn gunfight days before retirement, suspect arrested
An NYPD detective was shot in the back after officers confronted an armed teenager in Brooklyn. His ballistic vest absorbed the bullet, and police later arrested the suspect after a foot chase.
An NYPD detective was shot in the back during an exchange of gunfire with an armed teenager in Brooklyn early Sunday, only 10 days before he was due to retire. Police said the officer intervened after spotting what appeared to be an attempted abduction involving a young woman.
The detective, identified as Robert L. Karroll, suffered a gunshot wound to the upper back but survived because his ballistic vest absorbed the impact, police said. Officials described his injuries as minor and said he is expected to make a full recovery.
According to the New York Post, the shooting unfolded at about 4:45 AM (local time) near the intersection of Nostrand Avenue and St. Johns Place in Crown Heights. The suspect fled the scene but was captured after a brief chase several blocks away.
GUNFIRE ERUPTS AFTER POLICE CONFRONT SUSPECT
According to police, two officers in an unmarked NYPD vehicle spotted a young man carrying what appeared to be a semiautomatic handgun. As the officers got out of the vehicle to confront him, the suspect allegedly opened fire.
Investigators said multiple rounds struck the police vehicle, damaging its front and rear windshields as well as the passenger side. Officers returned fire during the exchange. Authorities said the suspect was not struck.
The detective was hit in the back while wearing protective body armour.
BALLISTIC VEST SAVED DETECTIVE'S LIFE
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch credited the detective's protective equipment with preventing a far more serious outcome.
"Today that vest saved his life," Tisch said during a press briefing. A second officer sustained bruises to the face and shoulder during the confrontation, police said.
Both injured officers received medical treatment, and the detective is expected to recover fully.
SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER FOOT CHASE
Following the shooting, the suspect ran from the area.
Police officers pursued him on foot and arrested him several blocks away near Rogers Avenue and Union Street. Authorities said the suspect resisted arrest and refused to be handcuffed. Officers used a Taser before taking him into custody.
Police also recovered a handgun that investigators believe was used during the incident.
The firearm, identified by police as a SAR 9mm pistol, was later photographed and displayed by the NYPD on social media.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses to determine exactly how the confrontation unfolded. Police are also examining whether the suspect knew the occupants of the unmarked vehicle were police officers before the shooting began.
Officials said there was no body-worn camera footage because the incident developed too quickly for officers to activate their cameras.
The officers involved had been reassigned to Brooklyn after working security duties connected to New York City's July 4 violence-reduction operations. Authorities said the detective, a married father of three, was only days away from retirement after a lengthy career with the department.
An NYPD detective was shot in the back during an exchange of gunfire with an armed teenager in Brooklyn early Sunday, only 10 days before he was due to retire. Police said the officer intervened after spotting what appeared to be an attempted abduction involving a young woman.
The detective, identified as Robert L. Karroll, suffered a gunshot wound to the upper back but survived because his ballistic vest absorbed the impact, police said. Officials described his injuries as minor and said he is expected to make a full recovery.
According to the New York Post, the shooting unfolded at about 4:45 AM (local time) near the intersection of Nostrand Avenue and St. Johns Place in Crown Heights. The suspect fled the scene but was captured after a brief chase several blocks away.
GUNFIRE ERUPTS AFTER POLICE CONFRONT SUSPECT
According to police, two officers in an unmarked NYPD vehicle spotted a young man carrying what appeared to be a semiautomatic handgun. As the officers got out of the vehicle to confront him, the suspect allegedly opened fire.
Investigators said multiple rounds struck the police vehicle, damaging its front and rear windshields as well as the passenger side. Officers returned fire during the exchange. Authorities said the suspect was not struck.
The detective was hit in the back while wearing protective body armour.
BALLISTIC VEST SAVED DETECTIVE'S LIFE
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch credited the detective's protective equipment with preventing a far more serious outcome.
"Today that vest saved his life," Tisch said during a press briefing. A second officer sustained bruises to the face and shoulder during the confrontation, police said.
Both injured officers received medical treatment, and the detective is expected to recover fully.
SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER FOOT CHASE
Following the shooting, the suspect ran from the area.
Police officers pursued him on foot and arrested him several blocks away near Rogers Avenue and Union Street. Authorities said the suspect resisted arrest and refused to be handcuffed. Officers used a Taser before taking him into custody.
Police also recovered a handgun that investigators believe was used during the incident.
The firearm, identified by police as a SAR 9mm pistol, was later photographed and displayed by the NYPD on social media.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses to determine exactly how the confrontation unfolded. Police are also examining whether the suspect knew the occupants of the unmarked vehicle were police officers before the shooting began.
Officials said there was no body-worn camera footage because the incident developed too quickly for officers to activate their cameras.
The officers involved had been reassigned to Brooklyn after working security duties connected to New York City's July 4 violence-reduction operations. Authorities said the detective, a married father of three, was only days away from retirement after a lengthy career with the department.
