MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — An NYPD sergeant was shot and another was grazed by a bullet while trying to arrest a robbery suspect in Lower Manhattan on Thursday, police said.
The robbery happened on the second floor of 91 Canal St. in Chinatown around 4:15 p.m., according to the NYPD.
The suspect, 22-year-old Joshua Dorsett, allegedly robbed women of their purses at gunpoint, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
“We believe this location is known throughout the neighborhood where people gather to play mahjong. Sometimes there is money exchanged during these games. (Dorsett) is from the neighborhood, so he would’ve known that,” Kenny said.
Dorsett allegedly fled the scene after the robbery and was spotted by two sergeants seven minutes later at 167 Eldridge St., according to Kenny.
When the sergeants stopped Dorsett, he began to pull out a gun from his pocket, Kenny said.
“A struggle begins for the possession of the gun between Dorsett and the two sergeants, and a shot is fired by the perpetrator, Dorsett,” Kenny said.
One of the sergeants was shot in the groin, and the other was grazed in the leg, police said. Both sergeants were hospitalized are are expected to survive.
“I’m relieved to say that our officers are both in good stable condition and are expected to make a full recovery,” NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said.
Police took Dorsett into custody at the scene. He is a known gang member who is currently on probation, police said.
“Today is yet another reminder of the dangers New York City police officers face every day as they go out there to keep our city safe,” Caban said.
The last on-duty NYPD officer shooting happened in March. Jonathan Diller, 31, was shot and killed while conducting a vehicle stop in Far Rockaway, Queens.