NYPD officer struck in bulletproof vest, armed suspect killed in altercation: police
Click here for updates on this story
HARLEM, NY (WPIX) — An NYPD officer’s bulletproof vest saved his life during a violent confrontation that left a naked, armed man dead in Harlem early Wednesday, according to officials.
Just before 2 a.m., eight uniformed officers responded to a 911 call from a resident at a Harlem apartment building on Frederick Douglass Boulevard, near West 148th Street, saying a male neighbor was harassing her, banging on doors and breaking glass, NYPD officials said at a news conference Wednesday.
As responding officers fanned out to search the hallways of the building’s second floor for the man, one of the officers encountered the suspect, standing naked and pointing a 9mm semi-automatic handgun at him, according to authorities.
Police sources identified the officer to PIX11 News as Christopher Wintermute.
Police said a violent struggle immediately ensued and shots were fired. It is unclear if those shots were first fired by the suspect or by the cop.
Officer Wintermute yelled for help as the struggle continued and the seven other officers came and discharged their weapons, striking the armed man several times, officials said.
Wintermute was shot one time in the chest, however the round did not penetrate his bulletproof vest, police said, adding that he was also punched multiple times during the altercation, resulting in injuries to his face.
The 34-year-old officer was taken to a nearby hospital in Manhattan for treatment of his injuries, the NYPD said.
PIX11 was at the hospital as Wintermute, on the force for over seven years, was discharged around 7 a.m. His wife, who is also an NYPD officer, was by his side as he left the hospital.
The 29-year-old suspect, who the NYPD has yet to identify but said had previous interactions with police, was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital, officials said.
The suspect’s firearm was recovered at the scene, according to the NYPD. He has not yet been identified.
The incident is now the fourth police-involved shooting in New York City in recent weeks.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.
