BY JEFFERSON SIEGEL | A police-involved shooting brought parts of Chelsea to a standstill on Tuesday afternoon, April 30, when a 25-year-old man, wanted for allegedly assaulting a local store clerk on April 7, was spotted by police, who then moved in to arrest him.
The officers, part of the Homeland Security Violent Gang Task Force, had been searching for the suspect. Around 2:40 p.m., he was spotted across the street from Whole Foods on 24th Street just west of Seventh Avenue, by a police detective, a police lieutenant and a Homeland Security investigator.
As they moved in to make the arrest, the suspect ducked into the MaximEyes Optical store, where he allegedly pulled out a gun.
The officers struggled with the suspect, then fired at him. The suspect was hit three times. He was transported in critical condition to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“While inside the store, members of the task force attempted to place him under arrest,” Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said afterward. He added, “A violent struggle ensued,” and the officers then fired their weapons.
Police displayed a photo of a 40-caliber weapon they said was recovered at the scene.
(Photo by © Jefferson Siegel)
During the struggle, an officer suffered a gash to his head. He was treated and released from the hospital.
West 24th Street was closed to traffic and pedestrians for several hours as the investigation continued. Seventh Avenue was reopened to traffic about an hour after the incident.
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