Police shoot man with knife, injuring officer and bystanders in Brooklyn. Bystander critical.
The incident at the Sutter Avenue subway station in Brooklyn on a late-summer afternoon was a scene of chaos as a police officer, a disturbed man with a knife, and two bystanders were injured by police gunfire, according to authorities. The officer, the man with the knife, and one bystander were in stable condition, while another bystander was in critical condition.
The shooting took place around 3 p.m. at the Sutter Avenue stop in East New York and Brownsville. Two officers confronted a man who had entered the station without paying and discovered he had a knife. The man defied the officers and challenged them to shoot him. When the man attempted to board a Manhattan-bound train, the officers followed and attempted to subdue him with Tasers, but were unsuccessful. The man then returned to the platform, advanced towards one of the officers with the knife, and both officers fired their handguns, injuring the man and unintentionally hitting the officer and two bystanders.
Police Chief Jeffrey B. Maddrey stated that they believe only the officers discharged weapons, causing the injuries. Interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon emphasized the dangers faced by officers in such situations and expressed gratitude that the injured officer was expected to recover. Mayor Eric Adams highlighted the threat posed by the man with the knife, described as a repeat offender with a lengthy criminal record.
The shooting incident alarmed local residents who frequent the Sutter Avenue subway station. Arlene Alfred, a long-time resident of Brownsville, was near the station when she heard the gunshots and described the experience as unsettling. She expressed gratitude for not being on the train at the time of the incident, emphasizing the unpredictability of such events in the neighborhood.
The occurrence at the Sutter Avenue subway station serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers and the potential dangers in public spaces. Such incidents can unsettle communities and highlight the need for vigilance and preparedness in urban environments.
Source: The NY Times
