Armed man fatally shot during 'violent struggle' with NYPD officers in the Rockaways

A patrol car at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 56th Street in Edgemere following a police-involved shooting on Dec. 29, 2022
A patrol car at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 56th Street in Edgemere following a police-involved shooting on Dec. 29, 2022. Photo credit Darius Radzius

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A suspect was fatally shot by police during a “violent struggle” that followed a foot pursuit in the Rockaways on Thursday night, the NYPD said.

A police team was investigating “numerous males” in the lobby of a NYCHA building in the Ocean Bay complex at 439 Beach 56th St. in Edgemere.

Two men took off as an NYPD sergeant and two officers approached the lobby, Chief of Patrol John Chell said at a news conference.

A foot pursuit ensued, and one of the men was quickly apprehended by police.

When officers caught up with the other man at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 56th Street, a “violent struggle” ensued, Chell said.

“Our officer discharged his firearm, our perpetrator is hit,” the chief said.

The man was shot in the torso. Police rendered aid to him at the scene before he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He has not been identified.

Police chased two men at the Ocean Bay complex on Dec. 29, 2022, before one was apprehended and the other was fatally shot in a "violent struggle," the NYPD said
Police chased two men at the Ocean Bay complex on Dec. 29, 2022, before one was apprehended and the other was fatally shot in a "violent struggle," the NYPD said. Photo credit Darius Radzius
The man who was fatally shot was in possession of this loaded, .40 caliber semiautomatic firearm, police said
The man who was fatally shot was in possession of this loaded, .40 caliber semiautomatic firearm, police said. Photo credit NYPD

The officers were also transported to the hospital for an evaluation.

The suspect was in possession of a loaded, .40 caliber semiautomatic firearm when he was shot, according to Chell, who said police don’t believe he fired any shots.

There is surveillance video that shows the struggle, which lasted at least 20 seconds, Chell said. The NYPD’s force investigation division will review it.

The second man was arrested on a narcotics charge. He was not injured.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Darius Radzius