NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — An off-duty NYPD officer opened fire on an armed robbery duo in East Harlem who remain at large, police said Monday.
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According to police, at about 11:30 a.m., a man who works in the area was walking on the corner of Park Avenue and East 122nd Street when a tan GMC Terrain pulled up beside him.
Two men exited the car wearing black face masks and black hoods and proceeded to rob the man at gunpoint.
At the same time, police said an off-duty officer assigned to the Firearms Suppression Division — a 12-year veteran of the department — was walking by on Park Avenue and witnessed the robbery taking place.
The officer then drew his service pistol, identified himself as an officer, and ordered the suspects not to move.
However, one of the suspects turned toward the officer with a firearm in his hand, prompting the officer to fire one shot, according to police.
The suspects dropped their pistol and fled on foot, running eastbound on East 122nd Street with the victim's money and his watch.
Eventually, they reentered the SUV at the corner of East 122nd Street and Third Avenue.
The vehicle, which has since been identified with Florida license plate #8814AR, was last seen traveling over the Willis Avenue Bridge into the Bronx.
The suspect's firearm, a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol, was recovered from the scene.
Police said the victim was not injured and it's unclear at this time if the suspects were struck by the officer's bullet.
The investigation is ongoing.