CANARSIE, NY – A tense confrontation unfolded in Canarsie, Brooklyn, on Friday night when police officers reportedly found themselves face-to-face with an armed suspect. The incident, which has left the community in disbelief, began when officers on patrol heard a gunshot around 9:45 p.m. near East 80th Street and Flatlands Avenue.
According to authorities, the officers were drawn to the scene after hearing the gunfire. They spotted a 50-year-old man running from a convenience store, with his arm extended, suggesting he might be holding a weapon. Surveillance footage later confirmed the man appeared to point a gun at a police sergeant approaching him.
The suspect’s actions prompted a swift response from law enforcement. Despite several commands to drop the weapon, the man allegedly refused to comply. The officers, acting under the threat of immediate danger, fired their weapons, aiming to neutralize the potential threat.
The scene has since returned to a semblance of normalcy, with the only reminder of the night’s chaos being police tape blocking the convenience store entrance. Residents expressed shock at the incident, noting that such events are rare in their neighborhood.
Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera commended the officers for their decisive action in a statement, indicating that their intervention likely prevented further violence. He confirmed that four officers discharged their firearms after repeated warnings to the suspect went unheeded.
Investigators reported finding a firearm at the scene, which they believe belonged to the suspect. Additionally, a so-called “ghost gun” was discovered inside the convenience store, though details surrounding its use remain unclear.
While police have yet to clarify what transpired inside the store before the gunshot, an employee assured that no one inside was injured. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was transported to a hospital and remains in critical condition.
The incident has left many in the community grappling with unease, as they come to terms with the sudden violence in their otherwise quiet neighborhood. The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the confrontation.