NYPD: Police Fatally Shoot Gunman Who Shot Another Man Dead In East Village
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Gunfire left two people dead early Thursday morning in the East Village.
The shooting eventually involved police officers.
The NYPD said the situation began around 3:30 a.m. with an argument at a hookah lounge on Avenue A near East 7th Street.
WATCH: NYPD Update On Deadly Police-Involved Shooting In East Village
The NYPD says one man was killed by a gunman, then that gunman was killed by police.
NYPD 9th Precinct officers were patrolling nearby Tompkins Square park when they heard gunshots. The officers responded to Avenue A and East 7th Street and say they saw one man shooting another, CBS2's Nick Calolway reported.
"The two officers engaged the armed suspect and gave numerous commands for him to get on the ground. It was then the officers fired three times at the male, striking him," said Chief of Department Terence Monahan.
That man was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital. The other man, who police say was shot by the gunman, not officers, was also pronounced dead.
Police released pictures of two small handguns found at the scene.
"A .22 caliber handgun was recovered underneath the man who our officers engaged, and another .22 caliber handgun was recovered near the second man who was shot," Monahan said.
Investigators say the incident started when the two men had an an argument at a nearby hookah lounge. It turned violent when that dispute spilled out into the street.
"When the two men exited the lounge, the shooting began," Monahan said.
Neighbors woke up to the news of a double shooting that was too close to home.
"I just heard helicopters swarming, including over my apartment building. So I knew something was happening," said East Village resident Kim Kadish. "Makes me think about maybe it's time to move."
Police say the gunman that was killed by officers was on parole after serving eight years in prison for a previous shooting.
The two police officers involved were not hurt.
