Police in shot and wounded a man in Flatlands Wednesday afternoon after he allegedly ran at them while armed with a box cutter.
According to sources familiar with the incident, detectives came across two men having an argument in front of the Brook Plaza Ambulatory Surgery Center near Utica Avenue and Avenue K in at around 2 p.m. on March 12.
When officers attempted to break up the altercation, one of the men, allegedly charged at them with a box cutter.
Police opened fire on the 33-year-old man, hitting him in the chest. The individual was rushed to a local hospital, where he is undergoing emergency surgery. Cops said he is expected to survive.
The NYPD is asking the public to remain clear of the area as the investigation continues. Police are expected to release more details in the coming hours.
While gun violence is down across New York City this year, shootings have increased in the 63rd Precinct, where Wednesday’s incident occurred. As of March 9, two shootings had been reported in the precinct, according to the most recently-available police statistics, up from one during the same period last year.
Brooklyn has seen several police-involved shootings in recent months. Last September, police shot and injured four people — including a fellow officer – while pursing a man who allegedly brandished a knife after jumping the turnstile at the Sutter Avenue subway station in Brownsville. About three months later, on Dec. 4, 2024, cops fired at Christopher Ferguson 19 times, killing him, after pursuing him across Brooklyn. Ferguson was allegedly armed at the time. In January, cops shot and critically injured an armed suspect who allegedly pointed his gun at them in Canarsie.
A version of this story first appeared on Brooklyn Paper’s sister site amNewYork.
— Additional reporting by Kirstyn Brendlen
