Teen wounded as NYPD breaks up gunfight in Harlem
A 15-year-old was shot in the knee after officers moved to stop an exchange of gunfire outside the Wagner Houses on 123rd Street
An NYPD response to reports of gunfire in Harlem Monday evening ended with a 15-year-old shot in the knee and at least one police officer discharging a firearm, city officials said.
Police said officers responded to multiple calls for shots fired outside the Wagner Houses on West 123rd Street at roughly 5:30 p.m. and observed an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old shooting at each other on the street. Cops engaged the two suspects and at least one officer fired a weapon during the confrontation, according to the NYPD.
The 15-year-old was struck in the knee and transported to Harlem Hospital in stable condition, sources familiar with the matter said. Investigators at the scene were working to determine which party discharged the round that struck the teen, officials said.
Two persons of interest were taken into custody at the scene and one firearm was recovered, the NYPD said. Two NYPD officers were evaluated at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for tinnitus related to the incident, according to sources.
Police did not immediately identify the arrested individuals or provide details about possible charges. The department said investigators were canvassing the area for witnesses and reviewing body-worn camera and other available footage as part of the probe.
The shooting occurred in a busy residential area that has experienced periodic violence in recent years, drawing ongoing attention from city officials and community groups. The Wagner Houses are part of a large public-housing complex in central Harlem and routinely generate calls for police when gunfire is reported.
City and NYPD spokespeople did not offer additional comment beyond initial statements early Tuesday. The Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau and the Manhattan district attorney's office typically review incidents in which officers discharge their weapons and are expected to examine evidence and witness statements to determine the circumstances of the shooting.
The investigation remained active Tuesday as authorities sought to confirm the sequence of events and the source of the bullet that struck the teenager. Authorities urged anyone with information or footage of the shooting to contact NYPD investigators.