By Steve Mosco
A man found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday morning was an off-duty police officer, sources said.
The unidentified 43-year-old was found unresponsive on Starr Street near Linden Hill Cemetery in Ridgewood in a black 2005 Hyundai Sante Fe, according to police. Paramedics discovered the man, who was shot in the chest, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to an NYPD spokesman.
Cops said a firearm was recovered and no criminality was suspected, but they could not confirm the man was a police officer. Authorities said suicide is suspected and an investigation was ongoing.
On the morning of the incident, investigators blocked off Starr Street between Woodward and Metropolitan avenues, forcing many residents out for a morning walk to change course.
Jose Disla, who lives on Willoughby Avenue a few blocks from the scene, said he walks around the cemetery every morning and never expected to see police tape.
“It’s usually very quiet except for the trucks on Troutman [Street],” he said. “I’m not sure what happened, but I hope it doesn’t turn into a trend. This is a nice neighborhood and we don’t want problems with guns.”
Reach reporter Steve Mosco by e-mail at smosco@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
