NYPD Officer In Critical Condition After Being Dragged By Vehicle In Brooklyn

EAST FLATBUSH, NY — An NYPD officer is in critical condition after he was dragged by a vehicle for two-and-a-half blocks in East Flatbush late Saturday night, police said.

At around 11:50 p.m., police received three 911 calls from the area of Tilden Avenue and East 53rd Street reporting shots fired. Six plainclothes officers responded to the scene and spoke with several people attending a wedding at that location before determining that the cause of the 911 calls was fireworks.

According to police, officer Dalsh Veve was across the street talking to several people sitting inside a black Honda Sedan that was parked in front of a fire hydrant. Three officers who were continuing to speak to several people then saw Veve being dragged by the Sedan on Tilden Avenue, police said. The vehicle continued to drive on Tilden before taking a right on East 53rd Street, dragging Veve for two-and-a-half blocks before he fell on the street.

The car crashed on East 53rd Street between Snyder and Church Avenues where it was abandoned, police said. The Honda was recently reported stolen in Valley Stream on Long Island, police said.

Veve was taken to Kings County Hospital where he is in critical condition.

Shortly after Veve was taken to Kings County Hospital a 15-year-old walked into Brookdale Hospital with a gunshot wound and is in serious condition. Police believe the 15-year-old was in the vehicle that dragged Veve, who apparently was able to shoot his service weapon twice while being dragged, police said.

The NYPD said there are several persons of interest they are currently interviewing.

Veve is a 9-year veteran of the NYPD and is married with a two-year-old daughter.

"Officer Dalsh Veve right now is fighting for his life at Kings County Hospital," Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a brief media availability Sunday before marching in the Celebrate Israel Parade. "This is another example of the risks our officers face every day.

"This example has to do with the fight against crime, the officer was responding to a report of shots fired, went to the scene to protect his fellow New Yorkers," de Blasio said. "Our hearts, our prayers have to be with Officer Veve and his family, including his young child."

City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, who represents the district where Veve was critically injured, issued the following statement.

"My prayers and thoughts are with Officer Veve and his family, who are undoubtedly going through a difficult time right now. My office works with the 67th precinct on a regular basis, so this hits especially close to home. I pray for his speedy recovery, and for him, his family and friends.

"This morning, we are reminded of the difficult jobs officers face every day, while trying to earn a living for their families. Their goals and wants are no different from the millions of other people who get up and go to work every day. It is important to remember even through heated local and national discourse that on the other end of a 911 call is a human being whose job is to run toward dangerous situations, while many of us run in the other direction. As many are attending church services this Sunday, I urge everyone to keep Officer Veve in their prayers."

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