Brooklyn Knife Attack, Shooting Against NYPD Under Investigation

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — The motivation, if any, behind a violent attack on NYPD officers in Brooklyn remains murky.

Dzenan Camovic, 20, is suspected of walking up to a NYPD officer late Wednesday and stabbing him in the neck, according to the New York Times and other reports.

The sudden attack set off a violent chain of events near Flatbush and Church avenues just south of Prospect Park. Camovic grabbed an officer's gun and shot at other NYPD cops, who returned fire, authorities said.

When the gun smoke settled, the ground was littered with at least 22 shell casings, Camovic suffered critical gunshot wounds and two officers were shot in their hands, in addition to their comrade with a knife wound to his neck.

Police on Friday said they didn't have information to release on the officers — who were all last said to be in stable condition — or Camovic. They also didn't confirm Camovic's identity, despite numerous reports doing so.

The incident remains under an investigation, a spokesperson said.

The New York Post reported that Camovic, a Muslim whose family is from Bosnia, is being investigated for potential terrorist motivations or connections. A relative of Camovic denied the suggestion, the Post reported.

It's the second time this week that NYPD officers shot a suspect — always a trying circumstance, but especially so amid protests over the killing of George Floyd and police violence. The demonstrations have produced numerous reports of NYPD officers attacking peaceful protesters, as well as instances in which cops have been attacked and injured.