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A New York City police officer, who was not on duty, fatally shot a 30-year-old individual who brandished a gun during a moped attack in Washington Heights on Sunday. The person’s partner managed to escape on the e-scooter and remains at large, according to police reports.
The officer, who has not been publicly identified, was outside a residential area near West 173rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue just before 9:45 p.m. when he was confronted by two individuals on separate mopeds, as stated by NYPD representatives.
The 30-year-old assailant got off his moped and questioned the officer about someone’s name. He then pulled out a firearm, explained Deputy Chief Eric Pagan, an executive officer of Patrol Borough of Manhattan North, during a press conference held early Monday morning.
Upon seeing the weapon, the cop quickly drew his own gun and fired multiple rounds at the suspect, Pagan said.
The second male suspect then fled the scene on his moped, the chief said.
Cops performed life-saving measures on the assailant who was hit by the gunfire and transported him to Harlem Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, authorities said.
Officers recovered a loaded 9 millimeter firearm at the scene, Pagan added.
The off-duty cop is currently being treated at an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
“Every day, the men and women of the NYPD answered the call to protect and serve, whether they are on or off duty. Tonight, we saw that firsthand,” Pagan said.
Just blocks away in Washington Heights last month, an off-duty US Customs and Border Protection officer was shot in the face after being robbed by a moped-riding illegal immigrant in Fort Washington Park — but he shot back and wounded his attacker.
The off-duty officer was similarly ambushed by two men, Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez and Christhian Aybar-Berroa, while the two rode on a moped.
The incident remains under investigation.