Sources: Bystanders Caught In Crossfire Of Bronx Police-Involved Shooting Struck By Officers' Rounds
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A police-involved shooting in the Bronx remains under investigation after officers exchanged gunfire with a suspect Wednesday night in the University Heights section.
Police sources tell CBS2 two bystanders were caught in the crossfire, and were struck by bullets fired by a responding officer.
The situation began when a pair of plainclothes officers saw 37-year-old Edwin Castillo-Concepcion, of the Bronx, running out of a building lobby around 6 p.m. near West Fordham Road and Loring Place.
"They observed an individual running in their direction, wearing a mask over his face and carrying a backpack," NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan said Wednesday night.
WATCH: NYPD Provides Update On Bronx Police-Involved Shooting
Police say one of the officers stayed back while the other, 30-year-old Officer Juan Gomez, gave chase. The five-year veteran identified himself before Castillo-Concepcion turned around and opened fire twice during the pursuit.
Gomez returned fired, unloading a total of 27 rounds at the fleeing suspect, striking him once in the neck. Castillo-Concepcion was rushed to the hospital and taken into police custody where he's expected to survive.
12-year-old Gabrielle Hayes was struck by bullet fragments as she walked home from school, according to her grandfather.
"She was crying," Colin Brown said. "I see three holes in her pants, something like that."
A 46-year-old woman was also struck in the stomach, according to police sources, and the bullet removed from her matches another fired by police.
Police recovered a gun at the scene, and say they have surveillance video from before the shooting that shows the suspect committing a drug rip-off in a nearby building, also firing his gun there.
The bystanders were also taken to the hospital, where they remain in stable condition.
Castillo-Concepcion is charged with attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
