A man who allegedly fled the scene of an apparent road-rage incident was shot and killed by NYPD officers after he brandished an imitation gun in Manhattan Thursday night, cops and law enforcement sources said.
Cops on patrol were flagged down by two individuals who said they were involved in a motor vehicle accident with a BMW on Bedford Street and Sixth Avenune in the West Village just before 11 p.m., Assistant Chief James McCarthy of Patrol Borough Manhattan South said at a press conference early Friday.
The BMW was stopped in traffic when the officers approached, McCarthy said.
“At that moment, a 37-year-old male exited the BMW, drew what appeared to be a firearm. He pointed it at the officers. Once observing the firearm, the officers discharged their weapons,” he added.
The unidentified man continued holding the weapon, despite officers “repeatedly” telling him to drop it, McCarthy said, adding that the cops immediately requested EMS “to try to save the man’s life.”
“They repeatedly told him to drop the weapon because they wanted to render aid.”
The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 p.m.
The firearm — an imitation Sig Sauer handgun, according to a photo released by the NYPD — was recovered at the scene.
The two officers were also taken to local hospitals to be evaluated.
“For the second time tonight, we’re reminded of the real dangers our officers encounter every day to protect the people of New York City,” McCarthy said.
Sources initially told The Post it was a road-rage incident and that the man who was shot initially opened fire on the officers.
“Everything that happened was recorded on body worn camera,” McCarthy said. “The incident is being investigated by the Force Investigation Division.”
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