By Stephen Stirling
A 104th Precinct police officer was recovering from a gunshot wound Monday and his alleged attacker was awaiting assault charges after a domestic violence call turned ugly in Ridgewood last weekend.
Police said Officer Rodney Lewis was expected to fully recover from his injuries after being shot once in the armpit early Sunday morning when a decades-old gun discharged during a tussle with a suspect. The shooting took place outside of 18-12 Menahan St. after police stopped 33-year-old Edwin Santana while responding to a domestic violence dispute a few doors down.
Police said when officers were conducting a search of Santana, they realized he was carrying a more than 60-year-old revolver. Authorities said as Police Officer Mark Bublin attempted to remove the gun, Santana allegedly spun around quickly, causing him to drop the weapon, which discharged upon impact with the ground.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Bublin and his partner, Lewis, were able to subdue Santana and move him to a patrol car before Lewis collapsed to his knees and said “I’m shot.”
The incident occurred at 5 a.m. before the typically busy area had come alive.Jose Morano was stocking shelves bodega across the street when he heard the ruckus.
“I thought it was bad,” he said. “I saw four or five cops carry another cop to a car and drive him away real fast.”
The Queens district attorney said Santana was expected to be charged with assaulting a police officer and weapons possession in Queens Criminal Court Monday.
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@CNGLocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, ext. 138.
