NYPD Officer Shot While Chasing Suspect in Bed-Stuy

BED-STUY – An NYPD police officer is recovering after being shot while pursuing a suspect through Bed-Stuy this morning, police confirmed today.

Speaking at a press conference outside Kings County Hospital in Crown Heights, Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill assured those gathered that the officer was “conscious and alert” at the hospital. O’Neill recounted the circumstances that led to the shooting:

Around 6:40 am, police officers from the Brooklyn North Warrants Sqaud were driving west on Fulton Street, between Kinston and Thompkins, when they recognized 33-year old Kelvin Sitchel, of Brooklyn, wanted for a domestic violence robbery involving a firearm.

As the officers made a U-turn, Sitchel fled on foot, down Thompkins and onto Decatur. In their vehicle, the police were able to get in front of the suspect, exiting the car to chase the man on foot.

When police identified themselves and shouted at Sitchel to raise his hands, he drew a gun and fired at the cops, striking a detective in the leg. The officers returned fire, but Sitchel fled.

He was apprehended shortly afterward in a hallway of 39 Kingston Avenue and a gun was found in a nearby garbage can. Sitchel himself suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment prior to being arrested and charged. The suspect has numerous previous arrests, said the Commissioner, including assaulting the police.

Sources identified the officer who was shot as Miguel Soto, a seven-year veteran who was previously awarded a medal for valor after a 2013 shooting in a playground. Soto was hit in the right thigh, and the bullet was an in-and-out shot. He was released from the hospital this afternoon.

“This morning’s incident highlights the extremely dangerous work the men and women of the NYPD perform on a daily basis on behalf of New Yorkers in all five boroughs, in every neighborhood,” said Mayor de Blasio. “We should all be grateful for the outcome today.”

UPDATE: See the injured officer leaving the hospital in a video tweeted by the NYPD: