A 35-year-old man was fatally shot by police after he allegedly slashed a female police officer’s face with a knife at a Brooklyn precinct station house early Sunday morning, according to NYPD officials.
The incident occurred around 5:25 a.m. when the man entered the 73rd Precinct stationhouse in Brownsville, as per a report published by amNY.
The man initially remained in the front vestibule and attempted to open a locker without speaking to anyone, the report said.
According to the outlet, the suspect entered through a police-only entrance at the rear of the precinct where he encountered a female officer.
When she directed him to use the front entrance for assistance, he pulled out what was described as a large butcher knife. He then attacked her, slashing her face before she managed to fight him off, police said.
Officers attempted to subdue the suspect with a taser as he fled, but it failed to stop him, leading to a foot pursuit that spanned several blocks. Police said the man ignored multiple commands to drop his weapon during the chase.
The confrontation ended on Saratoga Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Park Place when the suspect allegedly lunged at officers with the knife, prompting police to open fire.
The man was struck multiple times and later pronounced dead at Brookdale Hospital.
Police recovered a knife at the scene, where shell casings were also visible on the street. The officers involved were transported to an area hospital in stable condition, the report said.
“Thank god our sister is on the road to recovery, but this was a clear targeted attack on New York City police officers,” PBA President Patrick Henry said. “This individual had no fear when he walked into a police precinct and attacked a cop uniformed — there is no telling what he might have done to innocent New Yorkers out on the street.”
“Despite being injured, our sister pursued this individual along with her fellow police officers, and they stopped the threat before anyone else was hurt,” Henry added. “This is another example of the extraordinary work our police officers are doing in an incredibly dangerous environment.”
The name of the suspect has not yet been released. A motive for the attack remains under investigation, police said.