Police are asking for the public’s help to identify an individual in a surveillance photo from a standoff at a Jamaica apartment building earlier this month in which a police officer fired at men who brandished fake pistols.
Nobody was injured by the fired shot, and police were able to apprehend a suspect involved in the incident. Two other men, however, managed to avoid capture, according to the NYPD.
Authorities said the trouble began at 7:43 p.m. on Feb. 15 inside 106-35 159th St. in the New York City Housing Authority’s South Jamaica I Houses.
Officers from the 103rd Precinct responded there after receiving a 911 call about a man with a gun at the premises. Upon their arrival, police said, the officers encountered several men in the second floor stairwell holding firearms.
The officers drew their firearms and instructed the men to not move. Following the warning, at least one man turned toward the officers while still holding their weapon, causing an officer to fire one round, which didn’t strike anyone.
Two imitation firearms were recovered from the scene. One of the suspects was taken into custody while the other men fled the location.
Police have not disclosed the identity of the arrested suspect. The rest of the individuals at the scene are described as black males between the ages of 14 and 19.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website or texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
