Staten Island Standoff: NYPD Officer Shoots Man Wielding Fake Gun During Intense Chase

STATEN ISLAND, NY – A tense foot pursuit through the bustling streets of Staten Island culminated in a dramatic officer-involved shooting on Thursday night. An NYPD officer fired his weapon, striking a man who, it was later discovered, was allegedly armed with a fake gun during the high-stakes encounter.

The incident unfolded around 6:45 p.m.

in the Rosebank neighborhood when officers from the 120th Precinct responded to an urgent 911 call reporting a man with a gun near the intersection of Targee Street and Bay Street. Upon arrival, officers swiftly located a suspect matching the description, who immediately attempted to flee the scene on foot, initiating a rapid chase through the urban landscape.

As the pursuit intensified, a critical moment arose when one of the pursuing officers discharged his firearm, striking the fleeing individual.

The suspect was subsequently apprehended and, upon further inspection, the weapon he allegedly wielded was determined to be a "fake gun," described by authorities as either a BB gun or an air pistol, designed to convincingly mimic a real firearm.

Following the shooting, the suspect was promptly transported to Staten Island University Hospital South, where he is reported to be in stable condition.

Meanwhile, the NYPD officer involved in the incident also sustained minor injuries during the chaotic pursuit and was treated at a local hospital before being released, underscoring the inherent dangers officers face in such dynamic situations.

This rapidly developing situation has prompted an immediate and thorough investigation by the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division.

Authorities are meticulously reviewing all circumstances surrounding the pursuit and the shooting to ensure transparency and accountability. The presence of realistic-looking fake firearms continues to pose significant challenges and heightened risks for law enforcement, often forcing split-second decisions with potentially life-altering consequences for all parties involved.