QUEENS, NY — An NYPD officer has been placed on modified duty after fatally shooting a raccoon on the Rockaway Beach boardwalk, police said.
The shooting happened around 7:45 a.m. Thursday at Rockaway Beach, shortly after a 911 caller reported a vicious animal, police said.
Body-worn camera footage released by the Daily News shows three officers approaching the raccoon as it moved from the beach toward the boardwalk near Beach 121st Street.
Officials said officers were attempting to guide the raccoon away from the boardwalk to a safe area when it suddenly charged, prompting one officer to fire his weapon.
No people were injured in the shooting, police added.
Police said Tuesday morning that the encounter is still under investigation and the officer has been placed on modified duty.