BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, Brooklyn (WABC) — An NYPD officer was shot in the leg during an exchange of gunfire with a barricaded suspect in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn on Friday morning.
The 48-year-old suspect, identified as Lamin Simmons, had been barricaded in an two-story brownstone apartment building on Kosciuszko Street since before 6 a.m.
Police responded to the scene after neighbors called 911, reporting at least seven gunshots fired around 5:45 a.m.
Patrol officers entered the apartment, then retreated after encountering a man with a gun, and requested additional resources.
NYPD officials say that the wife and son of the suspect was able to leave the apartment, but an elderly couple on the floor above could not escape.
Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch address the shooting.
A hostage team responded, got in touch with the elderly couple and told them to lock their door.
The hostage team attempted to establish a dialogue with the suspect, who began to throw large objects out a rear window into the backyard, including a microwave, lamp, pots, pans and other kitchen items.
NYPD officials say a drone was able to confirm that the suspect was holding a gun, and continued to fire his weapon.
ESU officers eventually entered the apartment building just before 9 a.m., where they found the suspect at the top of the stairs on the same floor as the elderly couple.
Officials say that after refusing to drop his gun, Simmons shot NYPD ESU Det. Matthew Gale. At least four officers then returned fire, striking Simmons, who was later pronounced dead at Woodhull Hospital.
Gale, a 15-year veteran, was taken to Kings County Hospital after suffering a fractured shin bone in his left leg.
During an NYPD update on Friday afternoon, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said she met with the injured officer who is being treated, and said he is in good spirits, and is in stable condition.
“What this officer from ESU did this morning, Detective Matthew Gale, is what so many officers do each morning,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who also spoke at the briefing. “He put on his uniform, he left his house, he said goodbye to his family, and he went to his job to keep our city safe.”
Police say Simmons fired about 20 rounds.
They recovered two weapons, including a baretta handgun, and a 380 caliber handgun.
Police said they are not sure which of the weapons was fired.
Officials say they believe the whole situation stemmed from a dispute between Simmons and the elderly couple. They say Simmons has a history of mental illness.
One neighbor spoke to Eyewitness News about the suspect who was killed.
“That was my neighbor. I watched him raise his sons, he has twin boys. The twins are about 17, 18, you know in that age group, but they’re young men. But he was dedicated to those children, he was dedicated to those two boys. I don’t know what could’ve transpired that could’ve led up to this,” the neighbor said.
Simmons apparently had prior interaction with police, but his record is mostly sealed.
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