In Brooklyn, New York, a suspect with a lengthy rap sheet of violent crimes grabbed a gun and opened fire as they tried to arrest him for allegedly assaulting his mother.
During the struggle, one officer was shot in the leg and another in the hand, police said.At around 3:30 p.m., one of the officers shot Melvin Butler, 39, at a Brownsville apartment. The incident ended with shots fired and a beating.
The NYPD arrived on the scene after Butler's mother reported her son assaulting her inside her Bergen Street apartment.
An NYPD vehicle is seen at the scene of the fatal shooting of two Brooklyn police officers on Tuesday. During the struggle, one officer was shot in the leg and another in the hand, but the struggle ended when the suspect, Melvin Butler, 39, was shot and killed by police. (Peter Garber)
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The officers told Butler he was under arrest, but Butler resisted and clashed with one of the officers. Both men fell to the ground, at which point Butler grabbed the officer's gun and fired.
Two officers were shot before the NYPD opened fire, hitting Butler multiple times, police said.
Police Commissioner Edward Caban said the injured officers were transported to New York City Health Hospital Kings County, where their wounds were treated and they are expected to make a full recovery.
Cavern announced at a press conference at the hospital that Butler was in serious but stable condition.
“Our police officers are lucky to be alive at this time,” Caban said at a news conference at the hospital. “And just to remind everyone, this was one of the so-called routine jobs of a patrol officer. I mean, there is never a routine patrol job for an NYPD officer. .”
Police said Butler is a repeat offender who served 15 years in prison for attempted murder in 2004. One witness said at one point he heard Butler tell police he wasn't going back to jail.
Police placed cordon tape on the road after two police officers were shot and killed by a suspect in Brooklyn, New York. (Peter Garber)
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“He has previously been arrested six times in New York City and once in North Carolina,” said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenney. “He has a history of resisting arrest and domestic violence.”
Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD lieutenant, also attended the press conference.
Mr Adams said: “An extremely violent and dangerous individual with a long history of violence attempted to harm a police officer and the police responded accordingly.” “And I want to thank the NYPD for continually showing why we are considered the best in New York City.”
“This was a horrific incident and as a result of their actions a dangerous individual has been arrested and two officers will be returned home to their families.”
Patrick Hendry, president of the force's largest police union, the Police Benevolent Association, thanked God that the officers made it out alive and condemned the rampant crime in the Big Apple. .
New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke at a press conference following the shooting deaths of two NYPD officers in Brooklyn on Tuesday. (Benny Polatosek | Mayor Photography Office)
“But New Yorkers have to ask the question, why does this keep happening?” Hendry mused. “Why are these vicious assaults against police officers happening every day?”
“Assaults continue to rise. Why does this happen? Why do repeat offenders who have been arrested many times feel they can resist arrest, attack a New York City police officer, and shoot two people? Are you a York police officer?”
“Every police officer knows the answer to that question, because he thought nothing was going to happen to him. He thought nothing was going to happen to him because he was feeling brave. Our system is broken. Our criminal justice system is broken at every step.” ”
An NYPD officer is photographed outside Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, after two of his colleagues were shot. (Benny Polatosek | Mayor Photography Office)
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