Holly MatkinMedford, NY – Two Suffolk County police officers were stabbed and a third officer was injured while responding to a disturbance call on Wednesday night.
The incident began at approximately 5 p.m. on Dec. 28, when a social worker stopped by the Blue Ridge Condominiums on Birchwood Road to check on two residents, WABC reported.
Police said the caseworker ended up contacting the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) and telling them that one of the residents was acting violently towards another resident, according to WNBC.
The unidentified 56-year-old man was threatening the other individual with a fire extinguisher, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told WNBC.
When police arrived at the scene, the suspect pulled out a “Rambo style” butcher knife and stabbed two officers, according to investigators.
The officers opened fire on the suspect, who was hit and killed, WNBC reported.
Praying for the two Suffolk County Police Officers who were stabbed tonight while responding to a 911 call.
God Bless the men & women in blue. pic.twitter.com/YEn59fXUl0
— Jarett Gandolfo (@GandolfoForNY) December 29, 2022
Commissioner Harrison said one of the officers was airlifted to the hospital with a deep stab wound to the clavicle.
The second wounded hero was stabbed multiple times in the chest, according to the commissioner.
The two officers who were stabbed and a third officer who suffered an unspecified minor injury were all taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, the New York Post reported.
#BREAKING Suffolk County PD: 2 officers were stabbed responding to a 911 call on someone who'd been "acting violent." 1 officer has "a significant" wound. Per SCPD, police shot & killed the person with the knife. Another officer has minor injuries. All 3 in hospital@CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/shRIZK8Yc1
— Tim McNicholas (@TimMcNicholas) December 29, 2022
Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association President Noel DiGerlamo said the two officers who were stabbed have been listed in “critical but stable condition,” according to WNBC.
“We ask that all Long Islanders keep our Officers in their thoughts and prayers, and God willing, they will make a full recovery from the horrific incident that took place earlier today,” DiGerlamo added, according to WABC.
The SCPD Homicide Squad is handling the investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting and the events that preceded it, the New York Post reported.
Grateful that the Suffolk PD Officers who were stabbed last night responding to a 911 call are now in stable condition. Please join me in praying these Officers make a full recovery and thanking them for their bravery. pic.twitter.com/Q6NfWVmIdP
— Nick LaLota (@nicklalota) December 29, 2022
Maria Daume, who lives in the area where the incident occurred, described the suspect as creepy and erratic, according to WABC.
She said numerous residents had complained about him to the homeowner’s association.
“He’s stalked a couple of girls. Girls have made complaints,” Daume told WABC. “I know my neighbor was just one of the people who got into a confrontation with him, I got into a verbal confrontation with him. That’s just the people that I know.”
Dina Connor, who also lives in the neighborhood, said she contacted condominium management earlier on Wednesday after someone slashed her tires, WABC reported.
Connor noted she believes the suspect who later stabbed the officers was the individual involved, WABC reported.
Connor said she received a call from the suspect’s social worker shortly before the fatal officer-involved shooting.
“The social worker called me back to do a well visit,” she told WABC. “I was on the phone with her. I could hear them fighting in the background. She hung up very abruptly.”
Police said they believe that was when the social worker dialed 911 for help, according to the news outlet.
Sandy Malone
