Suspect Is Killed, Three Offices Are Wounded In Greenwich Village.

h. nazan ışık—

28 July 2014—

In a Greenwich Village shootout a suspect, identified as Charles Mozdir, 32, who was wanted for molesting a child in the San Diego area in California was killed and two federal marshals and an NYPD detective were wounded in a smoke shop on West 4^th Street Monday, said authorities.

Later Monday afternoon William J. Bratton, the police commissioner, and Mayor Bill de Blasio held a press conference at Bellevue Hospital where the three officers were transported to after a shooting in the West Village.

“The Fugitive Task Force received information that the suspect was working at the Smoking Culture smoke shop at 177 West 4^th Street. This afternoon approximately 1:00 pm the NYPD detective entered the location, and confirmed that the suspect was present and alone working in the store. The detective exited the smoke shop and verified the other members of the Task Force that Mozdir was present inside and apparently alone. The detective accompanied by the U.S. marshals entered the smoke shop to make an apprehension. Immediately upon entering, a gun battled ensued. Mozdir fired upon the officers at very close range and the officers returned fire. During the exchange of gunfire the detective and 2 marshals were wounded, Charles Mozdir was shot dead” said Police Commissioner William Bratton at the press conference at Bellevue Hospital.

After Mr. Bratton, Mayor de Blasio addressed the media.

Mayor Bill De Blasio during the Bellevue press conference.

“These two marshals and the NYPD detective exhibited extraordinary bravery,” Mayor de Blasio said. “They had to deal with an incredibly difficult situation, split second decisions, and they do what law enforcement personnel do every day, they have to put their lives on the line to protect the rest of us, and these three men did that.” He thanked the officers for their courage, “We appreciate their bravery, their strength, their decisiveness.”

Commissioner Bratton said, “We seek to display to you the bulletproof vest that was being worn by our detective. So, I believe that wearing that vest may have in fact contributed saving of his life.”

“We’re going to make sure each one of them is taken care of. Each of them is in a stable condition, and we look forward to honoring them when they are well” Mayor de Blasio said, and continued, “This is a day when we have a lot to be thankful for. I also want to amplify the point the commissioner made. This is an example of these men being protected by their vest. Such an important piece of protection each of officers has”

Mayor de Blasio and Mr. Bratton showed the detective’s vest after the shooting at Smoking Culture.

Commissioner Bratton and Mayor de Blasio displaying the bulletproof vest at the press conference.

“This is the west was being worn by the officer that you can see there is an entrance just to the left of the vest” said Bratton.

A journalist asked, “Can you hold it higher?”

The Mayor smiled, and held the vest higher.

Commissioner Bratton continued, “We have recovered the round from the vest, that the vest actually kept from penetrating into his body. So obviously, his vest protected him from a more grievous injury had it entered his chest.”

“A .32 caliber handgun was recovered at the scene and 20 additional rounds were found in Mozdir’s pockets” Mr. Bratton said.

Commissioner Bratton didn’t want to give the names of the wounded officers. “We are not releasing that at this time until all of the relatives notified” he said.

And to the questions about how the Task Force became aware of Mozdir’s present in NYC, how did they found him, who gave the tip, what exactly happened in the smoke shop, who fired first, Mr. Bratton’s answer was “It is still only four hours in to the investigation.” “In this stage I prefer not to go into details. It is only four hours old investigation.” he said.

NKENdiKEN

NEWS/HABERLER

Suspect Is Killed, Three Offices Are Wounded In Greenwich Village.