By Rebecca Henely
A Rosedale man has been arrested on charges of attempted murder and robbery after he allegedly fired at several officers on the grounds of Queensbridge Houses Friday night, the NYPD said.
The arrest comes two months after a high-profile shooting of a 15-year-old girl in the projects, between 40th Avenue, Vernon Boulevard, 21st Street and Queens Plaza in Long Island City.
“Life goes on,” said Ray Normandeau, press secretary of the Queensbridge Tenant Council. “We wait for the next shooting.”
Officers from Police Service Area 9 responded at 8:49 p.m. Friday to 911 reports of shots fired and a man pointing a gun at people near 41-09 12th St. in the heart of the public housing project, the NYPD said. The gunman had previously tried to take items from a 53-year-old man, whom the gunman fired at while fleeing the scene, police said.
The suspect was identified as Terrance Carew, 30, who lives at Hungry Harbor Road and 262nd Plaza in Rosedale, police said.
When they arrived in a marked police vehicle, the officers saw a bus shelter with shattered glass and a man who looked like descriptions of the shooter from the calls, the NYPD said.
The officers pursued Carew, who allegedly turned and fired at them, police said. The officers fired back, hitting Carew in the right thigh, but he kept running until additional officers found him, police said. Carew released his firearm and was arrested, after which he was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center for treatment, police said.
Two officers were also brought to the same hospital for tinnitus, or a ringing in the ear, police said. A sergeant was brought to New York Hospital Queens for the same condition, police said. Tinnitus can be caused by exposure to loud noises, such as gunshots.
The 53-year-old victim in the alleged robbery was not hurt, police said.
Carew was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, attempted murder, robbery and criminal possession of a loaded firearm, police said.
Normandeau said he expected the slight amount of media coverage given to the shooting.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “This is serious business. You’re not supposed to shoot at police officers.”
In September, a 15-year-old Queensbridge girl named Amy was hit in the hand by a stray bullet coming through her window. Harlem resident Day Bryant, 37, was charged in connection with the crime, police said.
Rita Frazier Normandeau, who is Ray Normandeau’s wife, said the shootings are a routine event in the projects.
“If you think it won’t happen to you, you might be surprised,” she said. “But still, I love it here and I feel safe being here. No place is perfect.”
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
