Officers fatally shoot man in East Harlem they say refused to drop gun

Police fatally shot a man in East Harlem early Sunday after they say he refused to drop a gun, recovered from the scene.
Police fatally shot a man in East Harlem early Sunday after they say he refused to drop a gun, recovered from the scene. Photo credit NYPD

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — NYPD officers fatally shot a 62-year-old man in East Harlem early Sunday morning after they say he refused to obey commands to drop a gun, which was later recovered from the scene.

Police received numerous calls at around 12:30 a.m. reporting a man with a gun near Third Avenue and 103rd Street, close to the George Washington NYCHA complex on 102nd Street, NYPD Chief of Housing Martine Materasso said at a press conference.

ShotSpotter activations also came from the vicinity, she said.

Upon arrival, uniformed officers from PSA 5 encountered the 62-year-old with a gun in his hand.

“The officers gave numerous commands verbally to drop the gun, which the male did not comply,” Materasso said. “The two officers discharged their firearms, striking the male.”

They immediately requested EMS and performed CPR, officials said. The man was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

A gun was recovered from the scene.

There are no other outstanding perpetrators, Materasso said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Featured Image Photo Credit: NYPD