UMVA has learned that a harrowing confrontation between a New York City Police Department officer and a driver of a stolen vehicle ended in gunfire on Sunday, leaving multiple officers injured and the suspect in custody.
The chaos began when police tracked a silver Kia Sportage stolen from the Bronx through license plate readers, eventually locating the vehicle on West Fordham Road. Officers attempted to pull over the driver and repeatedly ordered the driver and passenger to step out of the vehicle, but the suspect had other plans.
In a brazen and violent move, the driver allegedly reversed the car, striking multiple officers and an unmarked police vehicle. The suspect then drove forward, hitting another cop and sending a sergeant crashing to the ground. The officer was thrown into the air, a terrifying scene that was witnessed by Aneudy Castillo, assistant chief and commanding officer of Patrol Borough Bronx North.
As the driver continued to flee, an officer on top of a nearby vehicle made the split-second decision to open fire, striking the driver and ending the rampage. The suspect was rushed to Saint Barnabas Hospital in stable condition, while the officers involved in the incident were also taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that charges against the driver of the stolen vehicle are pending, and the incident is currently under investigation. The suspect, who was driving the stolen vehicle, had a history of run-ins with the law, having been arrested in February for shooting another man.
The suspect was charged with multiple felonies, including attempted felony assault, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of a firearm. The incident was captured on body-worn camera footage, which will likely play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation.
