Officers had responded to a call about a man acting erratically, banging on doors and breaking glass, at an apartment building on Frederick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem around 2 a.m. on October 23, 2019.
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Eight officers were searching for him, when Officer Christopher Wintermute encountered 29-year-old Victor Hernandez in the hallway.
Police say Hernandez was naked and holding a semiautomatic .09-mm handgun, and a struggle ensued. Hernandez opened fire and struck Wintermute in the vest before other officers fatally shot him.
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"The officer yelled for help as the struggle continued, and the other officers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect several times," then-NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill said. "Our officer had been shot one time in the chest. The round did not penetrate his bullet-resistant vest. Our officer had also been punched numerous times, resulting in injuries to his face."
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Wintermute was treated at St. Luke's Hospital and was released several hours later to cheers from fellow officers. He saluted and was helped into a police van to be taken home with his family.
RAW VIDEO: Officer released from the hospital
Wounded NYPD officer released from hospital
"The 29-year-old suspect, who has had previous interactions with the police, was pronounced deceased at Harlem Hospital," O'Neill said. "The suspect's firearm was recovered at the scene."
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Police said a total of 17 shots were fired, 10 of which hit the suspect, who happened to be the son of a retired NYPD officer.
Authorities say Hernandez had no history of mental illness or drug use but did have six prior arrests for domestic violence.
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