Police say they shot a 19-year old man who pulled a gun on officers responding to a possible car crash early Thursday morning.
Chief of Patrol John Chell told reporters the incident unfolded when two uniformed officers arrived at W. 177th Street and Haven Avenue in Washington Heights just before 3 a.m. to investigate numerous calls about a car crash or stolen vehicle.
When the officers approached the car, which appeared to have been involved in an accident, Chell said the 19-year-old male driver jumped out, holding a gun and wearing a mask. Police later confirmed he fired at the officers.
The officers fired eight shots, striking the man twice in the chest, Chell said. He was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, where he underwent surgery and is expected to recover.
A female passenger was unharmed, and has been cooperating with police, Chell said.
After the shooting, Chell said police discovered a note inside the car, indicating the man wanted to commit suicide because of “various things going on in his life.”
“He also apologized to cops for what was about to happen,” in the note, Chell said.
The officers were also taken to a local hospital, though it’s unclear what injuries they sustained, according to police.
On Sunday, police shot and killed 38-year-old Courtney Gordon after responding to a call from a teen in Far Rockaway that her “cousin was killing her family.” The officers shot Gordon after they say he lunged at them and stabbed them both with the knife he had used to kill four of his relatives.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing. The name of the man has not yet been released.
This story has been updated to reflect that police say the 19-year-old man fired at officers.
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