NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A man was fatally shot by NYPD after he barricaded himself in a Lower East Side apartment and fired off four rounds at police during negotiations, officials said.
Officers from Manhattan's Violent Felony Squad went to 206 Eldridge Street, near Rivington Street, at 11:45 a.m. to arrest Kent Edwards, 43, who was wanted for a shooting in front of an Upper East Side bar Oct. 18, police said.
Police arrived at the four-story public housing development and made it to the intended apartment, where they were met with two female occupants, Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said in a press conference late Thursday afternoon.
Officers became aware that the suspect was in the bathroom and armed with a 9 mm, at which point the responding officers got the two women out of the apartment and contacted the NYPD's Emergency Services Unit, cops said.
According to Maddrey, the Emergency Services Unit arrived at the apartment and took the lead at the door and took control of the scene.
The Emergency Unit Services officers made contact with Edwards in an attempt to get him to surrender peacefully.
Officers utilized different forms of technology to get a handle on the situation, including a scout, or a small camera that is able to roll inside, that the suspect rendered useless.
A drone was sent in next, at which point “the male took a broom and swatted the drone out of the air and basically destroyed it," Maddrey said.
Finally, officers used an avatar, or a camera on wheels that is able to roll in.
“The officers used the avatar. They followed behind our avatar. They had their bunkers up, our shields, and as they went in the male exited the bathroom and fired what we believe four shots, we believe four shots, he fired," Maddrey said.
One Emergency Services Unit officer took a projectile to his shield, while another took a hit to his vest. Police are unsure if it was a direct hit or ricocheted.
The partner of the officer who was struck returned fire at Edwards. The officer fired twice and hit the suspect.
According to Maddrey, EMS was already on the scene and they rendered immediate aid to Edwards, who was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Edwards succumbed to his injuries at 2:55 p.m., police said.
All involved officers were removed to an area hospital to be evaluated, police said.