NEW YORK – A 46-year-old man was fatally shot Wednesday morning after he displayed belligerent behavior while trying to buy beer at The Food Emporium in Manhattan.
Store employees called police after the man started swearing at customers and acting aggressive.
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An officer who was patrolling a nearby Verizon picket line was the first to arrive on the scene and try to apprehend the suspect.
A brawl ensued between the officer and the suspect, who both ended up on the ground, according to New York Police Department Deputy Chief James O’Neill.
The tussle escalated when the suspect brandished an 8-inch knife and started waving it toward the officer.
Two additional officers had arrived on the scene at this point and ordered the suspect to drop the knife.
After refusing to drop the weapon, cops opened fire, shooting a total of nine bullets.
Officers ordered the suspect to drop the knife but he continued to approach them with the knife in his hand. Officers then fired at suspect
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 18, 2016
One bullet grazed an onlooker on her right wrist. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital, along with one of the officers who suffered a slash wound.
One of the officers reportedly broke down into tears when the incident was over.
Security camera footage and pictures posted to social media by civilians captured the entire bloody scene.
Another officer was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital with chest pains.