NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- An NYPD officer shot and critically injured a "distressed" man who charged at cops and a bystander while wielding a "large" pair of scissors and a 12-inch kitchen knife in the Bronx on Friday morning, police said.
"This situation was fast, volatile and dangerous," NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said at a news conference shortly before noon. "And if it wasn't for the quick response by members of the 47th Precinct—their quick response saved at least one civilian and protected themselves."
Officers were responding around 8:40 a.m. to a 911 call from an assisted living facility on Washington Avenue, near E. 163rd Street, in the Morrisania section.
A case worker at the facility reported a 39-year-old man in "mental distress with a large pair of scissors," Chell said.
"The subject, who had the scissors and a 12-inch kitchen knife, was racing towards the officers," the chief continued. "He then decided to turn his sights on a civilian who was smoking a cigarette in front of the location. He went after this male with the scissors."
Officers gave the man verbal commands to drop the scissors, but instead he charged at them, according to police.
"In a full-fledged sprint, he came at one of the officers," Chell said. "Our officer discharged his firearm three times, striking the subject twice."
The man collapsed to the ground after being shot, but he still wouldn't relinquish the scissors, the chief said.
He was ultimately taken into custody and transported to an area hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.
Four officers were taken to a different hospital for observation.
The suspect, who is believed to be from the assisted living facility, has four prior arrests and a "documented mental history" with the NYPD, Chell said.
Friday's shooting came a little over a week after three police-involved shootings last Thursday.
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