Person of Interest Taken Into Custody in Shooting of NYPD Officer in East New York

Police took a 38 year old suspect into custody in a hotel in Rockland County in connection with the shooting of an NYPD off duty officer in East New York on Saturday night, according to local news reports. The name of the suspect has not yet been released.

On Saturday night, the officer went to ruby Street in East New York with $24,000 cash to purchase a vehicle which he had discussed with the seller on social media. As soon as they met, the seller pulled a gun and demanded the money. When the officer drew his own weapon, he was shot by the perpetrator, and the brother in law of the officer returned fire. The police officer was hit in the head, and was taken to Brookdale Hospital where he is fighting for his life.

According to reports, the suspect had fled the scene of the shooting in a black BMW SUV with tinted windows, which was later recovered in Manhattan.

Police are investigating if this shooting and robbery are connected with a similar robbery which occurred on the same street on January 13, where the sale was arranged over social media as well. In that incident, the seller stole $13,000 before fleeing the scene.