Holly MatkinBrooklyn, NY – An off-duty New York police officer is fighting for his life after being shot in the head during a botched robbery on Saturday night.
Police said the 26-year-old officer and his brother-in-law went to a location in the 400-block of Ruby Street near Linden Boulevard at approximately 7 p.m. on Feb. 4 to pick up a vehicle he had arranged to purchase from a seller through Facebook Marketplace, WABC reported.
The officer was carrying $24,000 with him at the time to complete the deal, police said.
The situation turned dire as soon as they arrived at the meeting location.
“Almost immediately, the suspect displayed a gun and announced a robbery,” New York Police Department (NYPD) Detective Bureau Assistant Chief Michael Baldassano told the New York Daily News.
The off-duty officer pulled his own weapon and a gunfight ensued, WABC reported.
The officer was shot in the head during the exchange of gunfire.
His brother-in-law picked up the wounded hero’s gun and continued shooting at the suspect, but it is unknown if the gunman was hit by any of the bullets, WABC reported.
The officer’s brother-in-law was not injured during the gunfight, police said.
Earlier tonight, an off-duty NYPD police officer was shot and is in critical condition.
Please keep this officer, and his family, in your prayers as he fights for his life. pic.twitter.com/GDDYjXhEvj
— Commissioner Sewell (@NYPDPC) February 5, 2023
The wounded off-duty officer was rushed to Brookdale Hospital in critical condition, WABC reported.
“Please keep this young officer in your prayers,” New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said. “He is currently fighting for his life.”
The officer’s identity was not immediately released.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he has been in contact with the officer’s wife and children, WABC reported.
“Far too often I’ve stood at hospitals. On one side, the police commissioner – on another, the rooms where family members are mourning. And then that same sound – ‘Tell me it’s not true. Please tell me it’s not true,” Adams told reporters.
Brookdale Hospital ,Brooklyn, NY
Clergyman and religious leaders from the #NYC Mayor office gathered for a prayer vigil and to denounce gun violence after a #NYPD officer was shot in the head . The officer is in critical condition and is on life support. pic.twitter.com/HgLKMTKdSr— Viral News NY (@ViralNewsNYC) February 6, 2023
The wounded officer joined the NYPD in 2017 and is assigned to the 66th Precinct in Borough Park, WABC reported.
It is unclear whether the suspect knew the man he set up to rob was a law enforcement officer.
The gunman is described as a black man with a beard, the New York Daily News reported.
The suspect was last seen wearing gray sweatpants and a black sweatshirt and fled the scene in a black vehicle with tinted windows, according to police.
🚨WANTED for SHOOTING A POLICE OFFICER🚨: Yesterday at approx. 7 PM, an off-duty NYPD officer was shot during an apparent robbery attempt in the vicinity of Ruby St. & Linden Blvd. in Brooklyn. Anyone with information is asked to DM @NYPDTips, or call 1(800)577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/aHmogFshck
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 5, 2023
Investigators said they believe the suspect who shot the officer may be responsible for other similar robberies and said they are using the officer’s Facebook communications with him to help track him down, WABC reported.
They said the same suspect may be linked to a robbery that took place on the same street on Jan. 13.
The perpetrator made off with $18,000 during that incident, according to police.
Sandy Malone
