New York, NY – A man wielding two knives attacked New York City Police officers on duty in Coney Island Thursday afternoon. According to New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, the incident took place at around 12:55 pm near 2875 West 8th Street in Brooklyn.
Keechant said a suspect near a car, wearing thick red gloves armed with two long knives was blocking traffic which caught the attention of a nearby officer on patrol.
“As the officer approached, he [the suspect] rushed toward the officer,” Commissioner Sewell said. “The officer moved backward to create distance between himself and the suspect.”
At that time, backup uniformed officers on duty nearby rushed to assist their fellow officers after being notified by people in the neighborhood. As the other officers approached, the suspect moved toward the other officers. Officers shouted at the suspect to stop his advance and was ordered to drop the knives.
He ignored the officers, then charged at them with his knives. One officer then fired four rounds, striking the suspect twice, once in the leg and shoulder, but he kept advancing and attacked the officers.
“During a scuffle, one officer sliced on the hand,” the commissioner added. “He was a six-year vet and is recovering at the hospital.”
The suspect was eventually subdued by officers and first-aid was rendered on the scene for his gunshot wounds. The suspect is now listed in stable condition.
Police said he is a 57-year-old man and a resident of Brooklyn. his name was not released.
“The actions of these officers exemplify what it means to be one of New York’s finest,” Keechant L. Sewell
“If the department was putting together a script for a training video, they would use this,” said NYC PBA President Pat Lynch. “Our police officers, when others were at their worst, were at their best.”
WATCH as @nypdpc and NYPD executives provide an update on the Police Officer stabbed in Coney Island. https://t.co/yOsNXtft7T
