By Peter Sorkin
Joseph Fuscalido, 47, of 64-24 Palmetto St. was arrested and charged with attempted murder of a police officer, assault in the first degree, grand larceny auto, and criminal possession of stolen property, said Sgt. Elias Nikas, a police spokesman.
One eyewitness said Fuscalido was shot in the face, but police would not confirm this. They did say, however, that he was taken to Elmhurst Hospital in stable condition. The two police officers in the cruiser were also hurt, police said.
“I know they tried to corner the car, but he rammed the police car and then they caught up with him,” said the eyewitness, who asked not to be identified.
“They stopped the guy at 73rd Place and Metropolitan Avenue and opened fire in the car,” the eyewitness said. “I don't know how many shots were fired, but I saw at least three shots (bullet holes) in the stolen car.”
The shooting happened at 68-61 Metropolitan Ave. at about 5 p.m., said Detective Robert Samuel, a police spokesman.
Although he confirmed there were shots fired, Samuel said nobody was hit. The eyewitness said blood was on the seat of the car. Another witness said he thought Fuscalido was shot in the face.
“They requested an ambulance immediately for [Fuscalido],” the eyewitness said.
He said a police official told him Fuscalido had been shot but then said several minutes later that he was not shot.
“For that much blood to be on the ground – it's possible he was hit by the glass, but there was blood in the seat,” the eyewitness said. “I don't know how they're saying he wasn't shot.”
Nikas said one police officer was taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition and Fuscalido was taken to Elmhurst Hospital with minor injuries for observation.
The car was reported stolen because it was equipped with the LoJack system, which alerts police if a car is stolen.
