MANHATTAN, NY – A robbery attempt inside Penn Station erupted in gunfire Wednesday evening when an off-duty police officer shot a suspect during a struggle near Long Island Rail Road tracks, officials said.
The incident unfolded just after 7:15 p.m. at West 33rd Street and 8th Avenue, as the officer and her husband — also an off-duty officer — were targeted in what police say was the third robbery attempt on an off-duty officer in the city this week.
According to investigators, the suspect attempted to rob the couple amid the evening rush, forcing a violent confrontation among thousands of commuters crowding the busy transit hub. The officer fired her weapon near Track 18, striking the suspect, who was later taken to a hospital in stable condition.
No other injuries were reported, though witnesses described panic as commuters scrambled when shots rang out.
The NYPD’s Midtown South Precinct, Transit Bureau, and Detective Bureau are all investigating the incident. Police have not yet released the identity of the suspect or whether additional charges will be filed.
The shooting comes amid heightened concerns about public safety in transit areas, with multiple incidents involving off-duty officers drawing scrutiny this week.
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Key Points
- An off-duty NYPD officer shot a robbery suspect inside Penn Station Wednesday evening.
- The officer and her husband, also off-duty, were targeted in what police say was the third robbery of an officer this week.
- The suspect was hospitalized in stable condition; the NYPD is investigating.
A bustling rush hour at Penn Station turned into a crime scene as commuters witnessed yet another violent encounter in the heart of the city.