NYC police shooting: Man armed with gun dies after being shot by police on Upper East Side
A man who shot at police on the Upper East Side was killed when officers returned fire.
The incident spanned multiple locations, beginning around 7 p.m. Thursday at 1590 Madison Ave., where a 20-year-old male suspect was seen on an elevator inside the residential building.
NYPD officials say he began speaking to a man in the elevator, pulled out a firearm and pointed it at the man until the elevator got to the first floor and both men exited.
Police say the suspect then entered a deli at 1600 Madison Ave., pointed a gun at a worker behind the counter, and told the worker to call 911 while threatening to shoot up a hospital.
He then stole the deli worker's phone and fled from the scene.
Minutes later, police say the suspect entered Mount Sinai Hospital, then exited and placed his firearm on the ground next to a tree.
They say he then reentered the hospital, where he encountered an off-duty NYPD officer working security detail.
As the officer attempted to escort the suspect out of the hospital, a brief struggle ensued.
The suspect then retrieved the gun next to the tree while the officer called for back up and followed the suspect fleeing southbound on Madison Avenue.
Members of the 19th precinct encountered the suspect between East 95th and 96th streets, where he fired his gun at the officers, with multiple civilians in the line of fire as they exited an MTA bus.
Officials say the officers returned fire striking the suspect.
He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officers were taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Police talked about how dangerous this situation was for everyone involved Thursday.
"This situation could have turned out differently. An individual walked into multiple locations with a gun, menaced multiple people with that gun, and then shot at our officers in the middle of a busy sidewalk with civilians in close proximity," said Philip Rivera, NYPD Chief of Patrol. "Every day our officers put on their uniforms and they encounter dangerous situations across this city. But it's another kind of danger when someone goes into a deli, and a hospital and opens fire directly at the NYPD."
The suspect has no prior arrests or interactions with police. His name has not been released. This is being investigated as a possible suicide by cop.
If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three-digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org .
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