Plainclothes Brooklyn Cops Shoot Armed Man in the Hand: NYPD

Images courtesy of the NYPD

VINEGAR HILL, BROOKLYN — Police gunfire erupted near the affordable Farragut Houses complex Tuesday when four plainclothes officers in an unmarked vehicle pulled up on a wanted suspect and his armed friend standing at 177 Sands St. — then began firing at the guy with the gun, according to the NYPD.

Asked why the officers weren't in uniform, an NYPD spokesperson said: "The officers were in plainclothes due to the nature of their assignment."

The police narrative is that the suspect's friend "pulled a firearm from his waistband" as the officers approached the two men around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday.

"Three of the four officers discharged their weapons at the armed subject," the NYPD said in a statement issued Tuesday night.

The armed man, apparently uninjured, fled further into the Farragut Houses compound and into the lobby of 237 Nassau St., police said. "A subsequent search of the building located the subject inside a 3rd floor apartment," the department said, "where he was apprehended without further incident."

However, once he was in custody, officers said they noticed a gunshot wound in his left hand.

Photos and video released by the NYPD appear to show the man with a gun in that same hand.

"EMS responded to the location and transported the subject to Kings County Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition," police said. "A search warrant is being obtained for apartment in which the subject was found."

And as for their original suspect: "The wanted male, who was initially stopped, also fled the location but was immediately apprehended."

The department has yet to file charges against either individual. "The investigation is ongoing," police said Tuesday night.