NORTH BAY SHORE, N.Y. (1010 WINS) -- An officer was shot in the face early Thursday as the suspect in a homicide opened fire on police as they were investigating in a Long Island neighborhood.
Suffolk County police were investigating after the body of Eugene Allen, 66, was found around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in a wooded lot across from 19 New York Ave. in North Bay Shore.
During the investigation, police identified a person of interest—Nieves F. Reyes, 48—who was known to the victim and lived at a home nearby.
Cops obtained a search warrant for the home and were setting up a perimeter when Reyes allegedly opened fire on them around 2:25 a.m. Thursday.
“The suspect began to fire several shots from inside the home; one of these bullets struck a Third Precinct officer in the face,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner is Kevin Catalina said.
The 33-year-old officer was shot in the jawbone, near his eye. The bone was fractured but stopped the bullet, likely saving his life.
The injured officer—a Navy veteran and husband with three kids—was recovering at Stony Brook University Hospital on Thursday. Officials said he was up and talking, and in good spirits.
Dr. James Vosswinkel said at a press conference that the outcome could’ve been much worse if the bullet had hit differently.
“This officer’s wound was literally a half-inch away from his eye,” Vosswinkel said. “If that [bullet] was over half an inch, he’s at least blind, if not unfortunately—not with us anymore.”
Reyes ultimately surrendered to police shortly after 6 a.m. Thursday. He was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder of a police officer.
The suspect and victim—both mechanics—were in some sort of dispute, though it wasn't immediately clear what the dispute was about, officials said.