By Ivan Pereira
A veteran detective found himself on the other side of the law last week when he was charged Friday with allegedly taking a shot at another man during an argument in Jamaica, the Queens district attorney said.
Detective Leopold McLean was arraigned on several charges, including attempted murder, criminal use of a firearm, assault and reckless endangerment, Queens DA Richard Brown said. McLean, 46, who has been with the city Police Department for 17 years and served on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s security team, reportedly opened fire at the ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend after the man came to her apartment, according to the DA.
The NYPD said it has suspended the detective without pay while the investigation continues.
The incident took place near the unidentified woman’s home near 119th Road and 153rd Street Nov. 15 around 12:40 a.m., the DA said. McLean went to the apartment building and approached Lepaul Gammons, 39, demanding to know why he was at his girlfriend’s location, according to Brown.
The detective then pointed a large black handgun at Gammons, the DA said. Gammons asked if McLean was going to shoot him, and the detective said he had something for him and allegedly lowered the gun, according to the DA.
Gammons fled the location, heard gunshots from where McLean was standing and saw the officer chase him, Brown said.
During the chase, McLean shot Gammons in the buttocks, but he kept running and made it back to his home, according to Brown. He eventually was taken to Jamaica Hospital for treatment and suffered “substantial pain, an impaired mobility and a high fever,” the DA said.
Investigators found a bullet at the scene and matched it to a gun that was registered to McLean, according to Brown.
McLean was released on bail following his arraignment and ordered to return to court Jan. 5, the DA said. If convicted on his charges, he faces up to 25 years in prison, Brown said.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
