Police kill Queens male holding ‘imitation firearm,’ NYPD says

Police shot and killed a Far Rockaway male while responding to a call of shots fired, officials said at a news conference Monday.

Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said officers encountered the male in the back bedroom of an apartment holding what later turned out to be an imitation handgun. They later determined that, contrary to the initial report, shots had not been fired before they arrived.

“Right now it appears to be an imitation firearm, but [investigators have] to do a complete analysis of the weapon,” Maddrey said.

NYPD posted a photo of the weapon to social media. Real-looking imitation guns are illegal in New York.

Maddery said police received the 911 call around 10:30 a.m. and responded to. Soon after, two officers arrived at a fourth floor apartment at 409 Beach 51st St. in Far Rockaway, Queens. A person at the front door then directed them to a back bedroom, Maddrey said.

“They had a conversation through the door for a few minutes,” of the back bedroom, Maddrey said. “The door opens up, our members go to step into the door and then the male points a firearm at them. Our officers gave commands to drop the weapon and then our officer discharged his firearm.”

Maddrey said the department is still investigating how many shots were fired and he did not specify if one or both officers fired their guns.

Maddrey said police tried to save the male by doing chest compressions. He was removed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police have not released the identity of those involved. Maddrey said both men who were in the apartment when officers arrived lived there, and that there was a domestic dispute before the 911 call. He said the person who was killed had no prior contact with law enforcement.