Man with imitation gun fatally shot by police after West Village crash

Driver Fatally Shot by Police in West Village Incident

WEST VILLAGE, Manhattan (WABC) — A road rage crash in the West Village resulted in a driver being fatally shot by police. This incident marks the second fatal police-involved shooting in New York City within five hours.

Details of the Incident

The 37-year-old driver was operating a BMW when he crashed at Bedford Street and Sixth Avenue just before 10:55 p.m. on Thursday night.

The occupants of the other vehicle flagged down nearby police officers who were on patrol. The officers approached the BMW, which was stuck in traffic.

Police Response

“At that moment, a 37-year-old male exited the BMW, drew what appeared to be a firearm, and pointed it at the officers. Upon observing the firearm, the officers discharged their weapons,” said NYPD Assistant Chief James McCarthy.

The driver was struck by the officers’ gunfire and was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

“The subject maintained possession of the firearm while officers repeatedly gave commands for him to drop the weapon,” McCarthy stated. “Even after he was shot, he didn’t say anything.”

Witness Accounts

One witness reported seeing the BMW driving the wrong way on Sixth Avenue, with its bumper dragging on the ground. The witness noted that the BMW was pursued by a minivan, which stopped at a stop sign before backing into the minivan. The occupants of the minivan then flagged down officers.

Weapon Recovery

An imitation Sig Sauer handgun was recovered at the scene. Police will determine if it was operable.

The two officers involved were evaluated at local hospitals.

Previous Incident

This gunfire incident occurred just five hours after police fatally shot a suspect who had barricaded himself in a room with a patient and a security guard at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.