Off-duty NYPD officer shot and wounded whereas making an attempt to purchase automobile in Brooklyn, police say

An off-duty NYPD police officer making an attempt to purchase a automobile was shot and critically wounded Saturday evening in Brooklyn throughout an tried theft, officers mentioned. The gunman is at giant. 

The taking pictures occurred at about 7 p.m. native time after the off-duty officer arrived at a prearranged assembly spot to have a look at a car, NYPD Assistant Chief Michael Baldassano mentioned in a Friday evening information convention. The officer had additionally introduced a relative, Baldassano mentioned.

“Virtually instantly, the suspect displayed a gun and introduced a theft,” Baldassano instructed reporters. “There was an alternate of gunfire, the place the off-duty officer was struck.”

The suspect fled, and the officer was rushed to a Brooklyn hospital, the place he was listed in vital situation, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell mentioned. The officer’s title was not instantly launched.

The officer’s relative was not injured.

The officer, a five-year NYPD veteran, had organized the meet-up on social media, Baldassano disclosed.

New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the wounded officer was married and had kids.

“An officer conducting a easy errand, and a harmful individual pulled out a firearm, as we so typically see on this metropolis,” Adams mentioned. “Too many unlawful weapons are within the fingers of dangerous individuals and doing dangerous issues.”

No additional particulars have been supplied, together with whether or not the officer was armed or fired on the suspect. No suspect description was instantly launched.