QUEENS (WABC) — A police officer was shot in Jamaica, Queens on Tuesday evening, police sources said.
Police said the incident started as a gunpoint robbery at 92-18 Guy R Brewer Blvd.
The responding officer exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who died at the scene, police said.
Police said the incident started with a robbery of a smoke shop around the corner from the shooting location.
According to a relative of the smoke shop clerk, his nephew was closing for the day when a man came in asking for a pack of cigarettes.
The clerk reopened for the man who then pulled out a gun and demanded cash and ‘all the cigarettes.”
Police said the clerk complied but the suspect let off a round inside the store.
The suspect left the store and in front of a busy Target, was confronted by officers who were responding to the robbery.
The suspects fired on the cops who returned fire, killing the suspect.
A bystander was hit, it is not clear if the bystander was wounded by police gunfire.
The officer was shot in the leg and taken to Jamaica Hospital in a police cruiser.
He is in stable condition, police said.
The suspect was reportedly wanted for other robberies and according to police had a violent criminal history.
Mayor Adams said the suspect was on “lifetime parole.”
A gun has been recovered at the scene, officials said.
The investigation is ongoing.
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