Man dies after police shooting in Home Depot parking lot on Staten Island
TOTTENVILLE, Staten Island (WABC) -- Authorities are investigating a deadly police shooting on Staten Island as a possible suicide by cop.
The man was shot in the parking lot on Veterans Road West in Tottenville just before 5:20 a.m. Thursday.
It started when police responded to a call of a man with a gun inside a Jeep at the Home Depot parking lot. The NYPD says the 55-year-old man aimed a revolver at them and that is when police opened fire.
"Once again our officers ran towards gunfire and bravely confronted danger," said NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger.
Officers tactically positioned themselves behind their police vehicles, according to Egan. She said they repeatedly told the man to show his hands and drop his gun.
"Multiple officers repeatedly instructed him to show his hands and drop his firearm, which is all confirmed on body worn camera footage. The male did not comply and pointed the firearm at the officers, five uniformed officers discharged their firearms, the male was struck numerous times," Eger said.
Once the suspect was down, they immediately performed life-saving measures and the man was taken to Staten Island University Hospital North where he was pronounced dead.
The deceased suspect is said to have a documented arrest history. Investigators believe the 55-year-old is the one who called police.
No officers were shot but they are being evaluated.
Police found a gun at the scene, a 38-caliber revolver, along with casings and ammunition.
The NYPD said that there is body camera footage along with security cameras from the location's parking lot.
Law enforcement is investigating the shooting as a potential suicide by cop. If so, this would be the second such shooting in as many months.
On February 18, a 79-year-old Great Neck man was fatally shot after refusing to drop his gun outside the 111th Precinct in Bayside, Queens.
If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three-digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
ALSO READ: Grandmother traumatized after man kicked her down subway stairs in Queens
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