BROOKLYN — A man has been hospitalized and is in critical condition after police shot him in the neck at a Canarsie Dollar Tree Tuesday evening, according to NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey.
Uniformed officers responded to a report of a suspect who was wanted for a past crime at approximately 4:47 P.M. at the Dollar Tree Story on 2120 Rockaway Parkway in Canarsie, Brooklyn, police say.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a man at the entrance of the store where he allegedly began to fight with the officers.
“During the struggle, a male pulled out a firearm and fired at the officers,” Corey said in a press conference at the 69th Precinct station house Tuesday night. “The officers returned fire and struck the male in the neck.”
According to the NYPD, the officers then immediately requested an ambulance, and attended to the wounded 45-year-old man.
The man was taken to Brookdale Hospital in stable but critical condition.
Both officers were taken to a local hospital for a physical evaluation, though neither were struck by a bullet.
According to police, store employees had recognized the man from a past robbery and called 911. Prior to police arrival, authorities say the man attempted to purchase an item, pulled out a firearm, aimed it at the clerk, and took an undetermined amount of money out of the register.
Chief of Department Corey said both officers’ body cameras were activated, and their footage is currently being reviewed.
Police say the suspect’s weapon was recovered at the scene of the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.