By Alex Robinson and Christina Santucci
Police said they caught up with an armed man fleeing from the scene of a double shooting at the Astoria Houses in Thursday afternoon after the car he was riding in slammed into another vehicle several blocks away.
Valley Stream resident Shannon Smith, 34, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and possession of a stolen .45 Cal. Ruger handgun after the 4:30 p.m. shooting, the NYPD said.
An NYPD lieutenant along with two police officers from the Queens North Conditions Unit had been on patrol in an unmarked car when shots rang out in front of 27-10 8th St., according to cops.
A 15 year-old boy had been shot in his shoulder, and a 30-year old man had been struck in his torso and leg.
After police arrived on the scene, the officers spotted Smith, who ran away and jumped into passenger side of a black 1999 Acura that was stopped at the corner of 27th Avenue and 8th Street with another man behind the wheel, police said.
The pair drove off, and several blocks away, the Acura was struck another vehicle at the intersection 26th Avenue and 21st Street, the NYPD said. The men took off on foot but police were able to catch up with Smith and place him under arrest, according to cops. Authorities said Smith had been carrying a .45 Cal. Ruger handgun when he was apprehended.
Emergency responders brought both the 15-year-old, who was in stable condition, and the 30-year-old, who was listed in critical but stable condition, to Elmhurst Hospital, the NYPD and the FDNY said.
Police said the investigation into the shooting was ongoing.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
