An NYPD officer who was shot on Christmas night survived because of his bulletproof vest

“Tonight from Christmas to Christmas, I would say someone is absolutely attentive to us here at the NYPD tonight,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

The incident began Thursday before 9 p.m., when the NYPD received a series of 911 calls from a mother saying, “Get here quickly, get there now. He’s coming here and he’s going to shoot the place.” , according to NYPD commissioner Dermot Shea. . The mother was referring to her daughter’s boyfriend, she said.

77th District NYPD agents arrived at the Crown Heights home and had begun interviewing the mother and daughter when the boyfriend came home and opened fire, Shea said.

“You see incredible courage on the part of the officers,” said Shea, who reviewed the body camera footage. “You see the girl pointing and the next thing you hear is shooting shots.”

An officer was hit in the back, but the bulletproof vest prevented the bullet from penetrating the officer, Shea said as she lifted the vest.

Other officers who responded to the incident saw the 20-year-old suspect firing his gun and two officers fired at least seven shots at the suspect, Shea said. A small chase followed on foot, and officers were able to arrest the suspect in one or two blocks, he said. The man was not injured.

New York shooting incidents are nearly double this year compared to last year, according to NYPD statistics

Speaking at Kings County Hospital on Thursday, de Blasio said the officer, whose name was not disclosed, was treated for his injuries and is in a bit of pain. On the other hand, he is in a “very good mood” and was expected to leave the hospital soon.

“Because the NYPD was there, that woman is alive right now,” de Blasio said. “Because our officer was put in danger: an innocent woman is alive tonight.”

The shooting is an example of a staggering rise in gun violence across the country that began in late spring and has continued throughout the year.
In New York, the total number of crimes this year is slightly lower than last year, but murders have risen nearly 40% and shooting incidents have doubled compared to 2019, according to NYPD data.

.Source