Police shootout in New York subway, wounding NYPD officer and two bystanders

New York City police fired shots into a Brooklyn subway station while chasing a person they suspected of fare evasioninjuring the man along with an NYPD officer and two bystanders.

Around 3 p.m. Sunday, two NYPD officers followed a 37-year-old man to the platform of the Sutter Avenue station in the eastern part of the borough after noticing that he had not paid the subway fare.

The man reportedly refused to stop on the platform after police asked him to stop.

NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said at a press conference that the person told officers, “I’m going to kill you if you don’t stop following me.” Maddrey added that police then became aware that he has a knife in his pocket.

The officers followed the man onto a northbound train that had arrived at the station. Police say after the man refused officers’ orders to come with them, they used a Taser on him twice.

The person then walked back to the platform and approached one of the officers with his knife. Both officers drew their weapons, fired several rounds and then handcuffed the man, who was lying on the ground. At that moment, one of the officers noticed that he had been hit by a bullet, as did the individual and other bystanders.

According to ABC7 New YorkDetectives reviewed video footage of the incident and determined it is possible that a bullet ricocheted from the inside of the train and struck the officer.

The suspect, two bystanders and the officer were taken to hospital after the incident. The NYPD officer suffered an injury after being shot in the chest but is “in good spirits and expected to make a full recovery,” NYPD Commissioner Thomas Donlon said at the news conference.

“A full and thorough investigation will be conducted into this incident, as we always do in these types of cases,” Donlon said.

The person suspected of fare evasion is currently in critical condition and charges are pending, ABC 7 New York reported.

JS reached out to the NYPD for additional information and comment on the incident but did not receive an immediate response.

Mayor Eric Adams thanked the officers involved in the incident in a post on X on Sunday.

“Earlier today, one of our officers was shot while protecting our subway system,” he said wrote. “I am relieved to report that he is now in good condition, and we have arrested the suspect who endangered so many lives. I cannot thank these officers enough for their courage.”