NY off-duty police officer shooting: person of interest in custody
The officer remains hospitalized and was fighting for his life
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Authorities have a person of interest in custody in connection with the brazen shooting of an off-duty New York City police officer who is fighting for his life in a hospital.
The 26-year-old officer, who has not been identified, is a five-year veteran of the NYPD as well as a father of two young children and a husband. He was shot in the head Saturday night during an attempted armed robbery, authorities said.
A police source told Fox News the officer is "brain dead."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NYC DETECTIVES STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE PEACE AMID LOW STAFFING, LACK OF SUPPORT
Mayor Eric Adams addresses reporters after the shooting of an off-duty police officer on Feb. 4. A person of interest was in police custody Monday in connection with the shooting. (NYPD)
The shooting took place around 7 p.m. Saturday on Ruby Street, near Linden Boulevard, the officials said.
"It hurts a lot," Mayor Eric Adams told the group of reporters Saturday evening, saying the officer is a five-year veteran of the NYPD who was off-duty at the time of the incident. "And it does not dissipate over time."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said the shooting occurred when the officer was conducting "a simple errand" to purchase a used vehicle when a "dangerous person pulled out a firearm" and attempted to rob the officer. There was a gunfire exchange, he said.
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The officer coordinated the meeting via social media and went with a family member, she said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News' Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.