Off-Duty NYPD Officer Shot In Queens Robbery Attempt

NEW YORK CITY — An off-duty NYPD officer driving to work was shot in an attempted robbery in the Rockaways, authorities said.

The rookie cop, 22, survived the Tuesday night shooting, which is only the latest incident in which NYPD officers found themselves the targets of gunfire.

Indeed, NYPD officers who chased after two men suspected of shooting the rookie had to dodge bullets from the suspects. Mayor Eric Adams, in a Wednesday morning briefing, praised their "restraint" before they were able to arrest the men.

Adams said the men shot at a civilian — the off-duty cop — and uniformed NYPD officers.

"The conversation we have been having over and over again over proliferation of guns, ready to use them on individuals in blue uniforms or blue jeans: they don't care," he said. "They don't care, and to see something like this happen repeatedly in our city is unacceptable."

The shooting unfolded between the funerals of officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora, who were shot and killed in a shooting at a Harlem apartment building.

Mora's and Rivera's deaths, along with other high-profile shootings, have crystallized fears over rising gun violence in New York City. President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit the city Thursday and meet with Adams to discuss how to prevent the spread of guns.

The Rockaways shooting, as Adams pointed out, started as a robbery attempt on a civilian.

The off-duty cop stopped his car at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 62nd Street at 10:18 p.m. when two men walked up and tapped on his window with a gun, authorities said.

The officer stepped out from the car, said Keechant Sewell, the NYPD's commissioner.

“After our exited his car, one suspect opened fire striking our officer,” she said. “This young man was on his way to work on his way to protect New Yorkers from criminals, like the two who were arrested today.”

The cop — who suffered a gunshot to his shoulder — managed to return fire, but didn't hit his attackers, authorities said. The two men ran away while nearby NYPD officers, who heard the shots, rushed up to help the injured cop, police said.

Medics rushed the off-duty officer to Jamaica Hospital, where he is in stable condition, authorities said.

NYPD officers managed to find the suspects shortly afterward, police said.

"The suspects shot towards responding officers, striking the bumper of their police vehicle," @NYPDNews tweeted.

NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey again emphasized the officers chose not to return fire.

"Instead, they chased the suspects on foot and apprehended the two of them a short distance away without further incident, where a firearm was also recovered," he said.