An off-duty NYPD officer shot and killed a 30-year-old man who drew his gun during a moped ambush in Washington Heights on Sunday, as the assailant’s accomplice drove off on the e-scooter and is still on the lam, according to authorities.
The off-duty cop was standing outside of a residential building by West 173rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue just before 9:45 p.m. when he was ambushed by two men riding two separate mopeds, according to NYPD officials.
The 30-year-old hopped off his bike and asked the officer, whose identity has not yet been released, if he knew an individual’s name — then whipped out a firearm, Deputy Chief Eric Pagan, an executive officer of Patrol Borough of Manhattan North, said at an early morning press conference Monday.
Upon seeing the weapon, the cop quickly drew his own gun and fired multiple rounds at the suspect, Pagan said.
The second male suspect then fled the scene on his moped, the chief said.
Cops performed life-saving measures on the assailant who was hit by the gunfire and transported him to Harlem Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, authorities said.
Officers recovered a loaded 9 millimeter firearm at the scene, Pagan added.
The off-duty cop is currently being treated at an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
“Every day, the men and women of the NYPD answered the call to protect and serve, whether they are on or off duty. Tonight, we saw that firsthand,” Pagan said.
Just blocks away in Washington Heights last month, an off-duty US Customs and Border Protection officer was shot in the face after being robbed by a moped-riding illegal immigrant in Fort Washington Park — but he shot back and wounded his attacker.
The off-duty officer was similarly ambushed by two men, Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez and Christhian Aybar-Berroa, while the two rode on a moped.
The incident remains under investigation.
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