Off-duty NYPD cop fatally shoots armed man in Washington Heights moped ambush
Manhattan, NY — An off-duty NYPD officer shot and killed a 30-year-old man late Sunday night after being confronted by two individuals on mopeds—one of whom flashed a gun—outside a residential building in Washington Heights, police said.
The confrontation unfolded around 9:46 p.m. near West 173rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, when the officer was approached by two men riding separately on mopeds. According to NYPD officials, one of the men got off his vehicle, asked the officer if he knew a specific individual, and then displayed a firearm.
In response, the off-duty officer drew his service weapon and opened fire, striking the armed man multiple times. The second suspect fled the scene on his moped.
Police recovered a loaded 9mm firearm at the scene. The wounded man was given life-saving aid by the officer before being taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, where he was pronounced dead.
The officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a nearby hospital. The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is leading the probe into the incident.
Officials have not released the name of the deceased suspect, and the second individual involved in the incident remains at large.
Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the confrontation and whether the off-duty officer was targeted.
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Key Points
- Off-duty NYPD officer fatally shot an armed 30-year-old man in Washington Heights
- Incident began when two individuals on mopeds approached the officer and one flashed a firearm
- A loaded gun was recovered; the second suspect fled and is still being sought
Off-duty NYPD officer turns target into gunman as moped ambush ends in fatal shootout