Holly MatkinQueens, NY – An off-duty New York police sergeant was arrested early Monday morning after he opened fire on three men during a brawl inside a Chinatown karaoke bar.
The altercation occurred at the VIVA KTV on Prince Street Near 37th Avenue at approximately 5 a.m. on Nov. 8, after a woman complained about not receiving a tip from three patrons, the New York Daily News reported.
A waiter later told the news outlet that the woman did not work for the establishment and refused to answer questions about why she was there.
Sources said investigators are looking into whether or not the incident involved prostitution, the New York Daily News reported.
When the woman began complaining about the lack of payment, off-duty New York Police Sergeant Raymond Wong, 45, allegedly entered the private room where the three men were located, sources told the paper.
Security footage allegedly showed Sgt. Wong pacing near the door of the room before he went inside, the New York Daily News reported.
The sergeant opened fire inside the private room after the three men assaulted him, according to police.
“It sounded like popping balloons. It was inside a private room,” the waiter told the New York Daily News. “It was a regular fight between customers. We called the police.”
Investigators said Sgt. Wong fired at least three rounds during the brawl.
No one was struck by the gunfire.
The sergeant was treated for minor injuries at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital and has since been arrested on two counts of assault, the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed Monday night, according to the New York Daily News.
The men accused of assaulting him were also arrested on pending charges.
They have been identified as 37-year-old Zhong Xiang Lin, 38-year-old Shou Li Xu, and 38-year-old Kentvy Wong, the New York Daily News reported.
The bar waiter told the paper Sgt. Wong is not employed by the business.
“As for involving himself with the girl, it was none of his business. He was a regular customer getting involved with other customers’ affairs. It was none of his business,” the waiter told the New York Daily News.
Sgt. Wong, a 15-year veteran of the NYPD, was promoted to the rank of sergeant in December of 2020 and is assigned to the 94th Precinct in Brooklyn.
He is expected to face disciplinary action as a result of the incident, the New York Daily News reported.
Sgt. Wong has been placed on unpaid leave for a period of 30 days while the investigation continues, according to WABC.
