Police-involved Shooting in the 76 Precinct/Police Service Area 1, Brooklyn

October 15, 2019

Remarks as prepared for Chief of Department Terence Monahan

I'm Chief Terence Monahan, Chief of Department, with me tonight is the Chief of Patrol Rodney Harrison, Chief of Housing Bureau James Secreto, Assistant Chief Brian Conroy, the Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, Deputy Chief John Chell, Detective Borough Brooklyn South, Deputy Inspector Megan O'Malley, the Commanding Officer of the 76th Precinct, and Deputy Inspector Tanya Kinsella, the Commanding Officers of PSA 1.

Before I provide a briefing, I want remind everyone that the information I am about to provide is preliminary and is subject to change as we are only a few hours into the investigation.

Earlier this evening at approximately 7:55 P.M. two anti-crime officers in plain clothes were patrolling in the area of Brooklyn's Gowanus Houses in an unmarked police car. The two officers were driving eastbound on Baltic Street when they observe male in the vicinity of 456 Baltic Street firing a gun in the direction of another person. The officers immediately identified themselves as police and gave multiple orders to drop the weapon. At this time, both officers fire numerous rounds at the man, who was struck several times. EMS transported the male to Brookdale Hospital where he is listed in critical condition. The officers were uninjured and transported to a separate hospital for evaluation. A 9mm semi-automatic Taurus handgun was recovered at the scene. The suspect who was shot was released last week from prison after serving five years for robbery. He is currently on parole and has an extensive criminal record, including multiple violent felony convictions for which he has previously been on parole for.

Once again, we see the inherent dangers cops face every single day they are on the streets keeping New Yorkers safe. This incident also underscores the urgency of getting illegal firearms off our city streets.