NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Three law enforcement officers were wounded, and a suspect wanted for allegedly shooting a Massachusetts state trooper was killed, during a shootout in the Bronx on Friday morning, authorities said.
U.S. Marshals with the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force tracked the suspect down to an apartment on Ely Avenue, near Edenwald Avenue, in the Wakefield section around 5:30 a.m.
As they served a warrant at the home, a close-range gun battle quickly erupted in the normally quiet, residential area near the Westchester border.
Five Marshals opened fire, striking the suspect in the chest. Two were injured in the return fire, sources said.
Three US Marshals Injured, Suspect Killed in Shootout @CitizenApp
Edenwald Ave & Ely Ave 5:32:16 AM EST
Police swarmed the area and set up a multi-block perimeter after the shootout as a police helicopter roared overhead, Citizen App video shows.
Two deputy Marshals who were shot were taken with non-life-threatening injuries to Jacobi Hospital, where they were in stable condition. One officer was shot in the arm and leg, and a second officer was shot in the leg, according to authorities.
An NYPD detective who was part of the regional task force involved in the warrant also suffered a leg injury and was taken to the hospital. Sources said the detective was watching the perimeter at the time.
A Glock was recovered at the scene of the shootout, according to sources.
Andre Sterling, 35, was shot and killed, authorities said. He was wanted in the non-fatal shooting of a Massachusetts state trooper during a traffic stop in Hyannis, Cape Cod on Nov. 20.
Massachusetts State Police said arrest warrants for Sterling were obtained last week charging him with armed assault with intent to murder and related offenses in connection with the shooting of state Trooper John Lennon.
The fugitive task force had tracked down Sterling's car to the Bronx apartment, according to sources.
Massachusetts State Police
Sterling, who was wanted on a string of outstanding warrants, has a connection to the Bronx and someone who knew him there could face charges for harboring a fugitive, according to sources.
A second suspect was injured and taken to Jacobi Hospital, sources said.
Paul DiGiacomo, president of the Detectives' Endowment Association union, reacted to the shootout in a statement.
"The reality is, there are too many guns in NYC," DiGiacomo said. "There are ill-advised laws by this Governor. Suspects should not be released after a gun offense, they should be remanded. This case is a prime example - why this happened. Government has failed us."
