Three others were taken into custody, including one person who was tasered by police.
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Authorities say the four suspects were wanted for robbing a 46-year-old straphanger at gunpoint on a northbound No. 2 train at 174th Street just after 5:30 a.m.
The four fled onto a No. 5 train, police said, and after a 911 call from a subway rider, officers were waiting for them at the 180th Street station.
Police said one suspect tried to flee by jumping to a stopped train on the middle track.
At some point, the suspect came into contact with the electrified third rail. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The three other suspects, ages 16, 17 and 18, were taken into custody, with officer employing a Taser to corral one of them.
The person who died has not been identified, but he is believed to also be a teenager.
Charges against the other three are pending, and the investigation is ongoing.
One responding officer sustained a knee injury during the course of the apprehension.
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The incident disrupted subway service, and 2 and 5 trains were partially suspended while emergency teams responded to the 180th Street station.
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