By Christina Santucci
Police nabbed a man who allegedly exchanged gunfire with officers in Far Rockaway early Friday, the NYPD said.
Far Rockaway resident William Bazemore, 19, was arrested and charged with attempted murder of a police officer, attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment in 12:30 a.m. incident, according to cops.
Three officers – Sgt. Thomas Rouse and Police Officers Richard Schell and Michael Legutko – had been working on plainclothes enforcement duties within the 101 Precinct at the time when they spotted the 19-year-old with a large bulge in the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt, the NYPD said.
As police approached the intersection of Nameoke Street and Beach Channel Drive, the officers stopped their vehicle and went up to Bazemore, who allegedly opened fire on police, according to the NYPD.
The officers returned fire, and Bazemore allegedly took off on Beach Channel Drive towards Horton Avenue, with Rouse and Schell in pursuit on foot and Legutko following behind in a vehicle, police said.
A block away on Horton Avenue, officers apprehended Bazemore after a struggle and found a .22 caliber Rohm revolver at the scene, the NYPD said.
Bazemore was brought to Jamaica Hospital to be treated for minor injuries to his nose, and police said neither Bazemore nor the three officers who were all assigned to the 101st Precinct’s Anti-Crime team were injured in the exchange of gunfire.
Reach managing editor Christina Santucci by e-mail at timesledgerphotos@gmail.com by phone at 718-260-4589.
