By Peter A. Sutters Jr.
Brad Washington, 19, entered the hospital just after midnight because of a gunshot wound in his leg, according to police. He told hospital staff that he had been shot in Elmhurst, and the hospital notified the New York Police Department, as is protocol with any gunshot or deep puncture wound, according to Terry Lynam, a spokesman for the hospital.When NYPD arrived at the hospital, Washington, who had given hospital authorities a false name, changed his story and said he had been shot in Elmont in Nassau County, which led officers to contact Nassau County police because of the change in jurisdiction, according to Lynam.At the hospital, Nassau County Detective Lt. Kevin Smith said Washington was being evasive, giving varying accounts of what happened to him and did not have any identification on him.Police were later able to positively identify Washington through comparisons of photos taken at the hospital and police mug shots, according to police. Police decided to investigate Washington's claims and left him unattended at the hospital to check out the location in Elmont of the alleged shooting incident as well as to confirm his story and collect evidence, according to Smith.Smith said they had returned “within the hour” to gather more information because of “inconsistencies” in his story and further question him, but Washington was gone. Lynam said Washington left the hospital against the advice of doctors.He said the hospital was not under any orders from the police to detain Washington.”We were not told to keep him in custody,” said Lynam. “He had not been charged with any crime.” Smith said Washington was not treated as a suspect because of his leg injury and police made the decision to leave him alone.”We treated him as a victim,” said Smith. “The injury to his leg appeared to prevent him from getting up.” Lynam added that Washington's injuries were serious enough to warrant his being admitted to the hospital but were not considered life-threatening.”It appeared his desire to leave was greater than the pain in his leg,” said Smith.Washington, who is on New York City's Most Wanted List, is being sought in connection with two murders in Queens, one in Jamaica in November and another in Laurelton last January, according to police. Washington is described as 5-foot-9 and weighs 120 pounds. He goes by the nicknames “Brad Perry,” “Little Brad,” and “LB” and has a tattoo of a tear drop under his left eye. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.Reach reporter Peter A. Sutters Jr. by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext 173.
