NYPD officer shot in Brooklyn, rushed to hospital; suspect in custody

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (WABC) – An NYPD officer who was shot in the back in Brooklyn when he responded to a call for a woman who feared for her life has been called a hero.

Authorities say the incident took place on Bergen Street and Ralph Avenue in the Crown Heights section just before 9 p.m. Thursday.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said calls were coming in about a domestic incident involving a female victim and her boyfriend.

Officials say the woman’s mother reported that the boyfriend was ‘coming to shoot the case’.

When officers arrived at the house and began interviewing the daughter, the suspect arrived and fired at the officers.

Officials say a 27-year-old officer was hit in the back once. Fortunately, the bullet penetrated his vest, but not his skin.

“He’s in a little bit of pain but is extremely cheerful and we expect him to be going home soon,” said Shea. “I think we’ll call this the Christmas miracle.”

He says the 77th Police Station officer has been with the NYPD for 2.5 years.

Police later identified the suspect as 20-year-old William Moss and say he has no significant criminal record.

They say that after firing the shot, Moss fled on foot with agents after him. Shea said at least seven shots were fired by two officers.

The chase lasted one or two blocks before police caught up with the suspect and ordered him to drop his weapon.

The suspect dropped his gun and officers arrested. According to officials, the suspect was not shot during the incident.

Moss was charged with attempted murder, assault, criminal use of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment.

“It’s Christmas Eve, this is a time when you would expect peace, you would expect harmony,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “A man threatened his girlfriend, threatened her with violence, said he was coming to harm her, that’s what happened in Brooklyn tonight and because the NYPD was there, that woman is alive now.”

The officer was released from hospital on Christmas morning and was able to go home for the holidays.

Video of the scene captured what appeared to be street wraps:

The NYPD released a photo of the suspect’s firearm that was recovered on the spot.

“We have to stop saying we’re lucky … we have to start asking, why is this happening?” New York City PBA president Pat Lynch said.

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