Police sources told amNewYork late Monday night that after obtaining a search warrant, they recovered a Glock 22 with an extended magazine in the back of the Kia Sportage, exemplifying just how deadly the police shooting could have been.
While the driver is still awaiting charges, a passenger riding along with him during the incident, identified as 21-year-old Angel Robles, has been charged with possession of a loaded firearm.
According to NYPD Assistant Chief Aneudy Castillo, the teen was driving the Kia, which had been reported stolen in the Bronx the day before. The car’s New Jersey plates were pinged by a license reader in Washington Heights at around 5:45 p.m. on June 21.
Ten minutes later, it was pinged again, driving northwest across University Heights Bridge, sources said.
Members of the NYPD Community Response Team — riding in an unmarked vehicle — followed the Kia until it stopped outside of 380 Fordham Road, within the confines of the 46th Precinct, at 5:56 p.m. on Sunday. Then chaos erupted.
“Multiple members of the Community Response Team got out of the vehicle, surrounded the stolen vehicle, instructing the driver and the passenger to get out of the car multiple times as members of the NYPD were around the car. The driver of the stolen vehicle put the car into reverse, hitting one of the unmarked vehicles, and ultimately hitting multiple members of the NYPD. He then put the Kia into drive and turned the wheels of the Kia to the right, where a sergeant was standing. He drove the car into the sergeant, who was thrown to the ground,” Chief Castillo said.
In the middle of the frenzy, another officer leaped onto the Kia and opened fire, striking the driver in the arm. He was taken to Saint Barnabas Hospital and listed in stable condition.
The sergeant, along with several other cops, were rushed to a local hospital and treated for their non-life-threatening injuries.
“We are grateful that our sergeant, who was involved in this incident, was not seriously injured and is expected to make a full recovery,” the Sergeants Benevolent Association said.
The still unidentified driver was already in trouble with the law. Police officials said the suspect was arrested in February for shooting at a man in the Bronx.
He was charged with attempted felony assault, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession in that case.