“Man in Custody After Allegedly Shooting 2 NYPD Officers; Suspect Identified as Melvin Butler”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Man in Custody After Allegedly Shooting 2 NYPD Officers in Brooklyn

A man was apprehended on Tuesday after allegedly shooting two NYPD officers in Brooklyn. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Melvin Butler, has a long criminal record. Thankfully, both officers are currently in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, while the suspect remains in critical but stable condition after being shot during the incident.

The incident took place at approximately 3:30 p.m. when a sergeant and three officers responded to a call for a domestic assault at an apartment on Bergen St. near Saratoga Avenue. The victim, who is the suspect’s mother, had been assaulted by her son and suffered a head injury.

When the officers confronted Butler and asked him to put his hands behind his back, a violent struggle ensued. During the struggle, one of the officers’ guns was grabbed, resulting in both officers being shot. One officer was hit in the hand, while the other was hit in the leg. In response, at least one officer returned fire, hitting the suspect in the leg and stomach.

Butler has a history of domestic violence and resisting arrest, with six prior offenses in New York City and one in North Carolina. One of his previous charges includes attempted murder, for which he served 15 years in prison.

Law enforcement officials have expressed their frustration with the criminal justice system, stating that the suspect seemed to believe he would not face consequences for his actions. Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry emphasized the need for change in the system, describing it as broken.

Mayor Eric Adams also commented on the incident, calling it horrific. He expressed gratitude that the officers’ actions led to the arrest of a dangerous individual and ensured that both officers would be able to return home to their families.

The NYPD officials involved in this incident are veterans, with one officer serving for nine-and-a-half years and the other for 16 years. Despite their injuries, they are expected to make a full recovery.

This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face daily while responding to routine calls. It also highlights the need for reform within the criminal justice system to ensure the safety of both officers and the communities they serve.

Source: CBS News.