NYPD officer shot in Brooklyn, rushed to hospital; suspect in custody

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (WABC) – A New York police officer who was shot in the back in Brooklyn while responding to a call by a woman he feared for his life is being considered a hero.

Authorities say the incident occurred on Bergen Street and Ralph Avenue in the Crown Heights neighborhood just before 9 pm on Thursday.

NYPD commissioner Dermot Shea said we received calls about a domestic incident involving a female victim and her boyfriend.

Authorities say the woman’s mother reported that her boyfriend would “come and shoot in the place.”

When the police arrived at the house and started interviewing their daughter, the suspect arrived and shot the police.

Authorities say a 27-year-old policeman was shot once in the back. Fortunately, the bullet penetrated his vest, but it did not penetrate his skin.

“He is in a little bit of pain but he is in a very good mood and we anticipate that he will go home soon,” said Shea. “I think we’re going to call this a Christmas miracle.”

According to him, the policeman, from the 77th police station, has 2.5 years of service at NYPD.

Police later identified the suspect as 20-year-old William Moss and say he has no significant criminal history.

It is said that after firing the shot, Moss fled on foot with the police chasing him. Shea said at least seven shots were fired by two police officers.

The chase lasted a block or two until the police reached the suspect and ordered him to drop the gun.

The suspect dropped the gun and the police made the arrest. According to authorities, the suspect was not shot during the incident.

Moss was charged with attempted murder, assault, criminal use of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless danger.

“It is Christmas Eve, this is a time when you would expect peace, you would expect harmony,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “A man threatened his girlfriend, threatened her violently, said he was coming to hurt her, that’s what happened tonight in Brooklyn and because the NYPD was there, that woman is alive now.”

The officer was discharged from the hospital on Christmas morning and was able to return home for the holiday.

The video of the scene captured what looked like bullet shells on the street:

The NYPD released a photo of the suspect’s weapon, which was recovered at the scene.

“We have to stop saying that we are lucky … we have to start asking, why is this happening?” New York PBA President Pat Lynch said.

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