“He is lucky to be alive,” NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said at a press briefing at the hospital Thursday morning.
According to Shea, officers responded around 3:09 a.m. to a call of an officer shot near nightclub La Boom, in the vicinity of 57th Street and Northern Boulevard, in the Woodside section.
The off-duty lieutenant, who was not identified, had been working late Wednesday night until just before midnight, Shea said. Police told PIX11 earlier he worked in Brooklyn.
According to the NYPD, the off-duty lieutenant came to the club and was inside for a music performance. He later left the club and was followed outside by at least three individuals, police said.
The victim was confronted by the armed suspects, all wearing full ski masks, who police believe were trying to rob him, possibly of his jewelry, according to Shea.
Moments later, gunfire erupted between the off-duty lieutenant and at least one of the suspects, police said.
The victim was wounded multiple times in the body, while a suspect believed to be the shooter was struck in the chest and stomach, Shea said.
Police believe the victim fired eight shots, while nine shots came from at least one of the suspects.
EMS responded and rushed the off-duty lieutenant to a nearby hospital. Shea credited the FDNY paramedics on the scene with likely saving the lieutenant’s life.
According to Shea, he was in critical, but stable, condition Thursday morning. “He was conscious when I arrived,” Shea said.
The suspect was also taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead around 3:35 a.m., according to Shea. His identity was not released, but Shea said that he had one prior arrest in New York City in 2020 for gang assault.
At least two other suspects believed to be involved fled the scene, possibly in a vehicle, Shea said. It was unclear whether or not any of the other suspects also fired their guns.
Shea said one semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine was recovered from the scene, in the vicinity of the suspect who was killed.
Rapper Myke Towers was performing in the club and was rushed off stage when the gunfire erupted outside, witnesses said. He had not said or posted anything about the shooting, as of early Thursday morning.
Commissioner Shea said the NYPD was looking for witnesses and canvassing surveillance video from the area.