Police: 2 Charged In Connection With Burglary, Shooting Of Nassau County Cop
NEW HYDE PARK (CBSNewYork) -- Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a burglary and shooting of a Nassau County police officer, authorities said Thursday.
Cong Xu, 21, and Renhang Qui, 22, both from Brooklyn, were charged with burglary, attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. Xu is also charged with attempted murder of a police officer.
Around 2 a.m. Wednesday, police were called to a house on Campbell Street in New Hyde Park after a resident called 911 to report that people were trying to break in, police said.
When police arrived, Xu took off running, police said. He then turned and fired several rounds at the responding officers, shooting Officer Mohit Arora in the lower abdomen, police said.
"The police officer thought that the subject was going to surrender," Detective Lt. John Azzata said Wednesday. "The subject didn't surrender, but quickly fired upon the police officer."
A six-year veteran of the department, Arora was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. His condition was upgraded to stable from critical on Wednesday.
Police closed off half of the area as they searched for the suspects.
Xu was eventually caught and taken into custody on Flower Lane and Nugent Street, police said. Qui was taken into custody on Lakeville Road and Sylvia Lane, according to police.
Police said Wednesday that the house was targeted. Azzata said a gun had also been recovered.
"This was not a random act of violence," Azzata said.
Xu was also taken to the hospital to be treated for an injury to his ear, police said.
Officer Arora is the sixth Nassau County cop to be injured or killed in the line of duty in the past three and half years.
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