Exclusive: NYPD detective recounts wild shootout at NJ hotel; receives promotion
A grateful NYPD detective who was shot during a wild takedown of a murder suspect in New Jersey last year has spoken exclusively to Eyewitness News about the harrowing experience.
Det. Matthew Mauro, 37, was shot in the foot at the Raritan Hotel in Woodbridge, New Jersey, after tracking down an attempted murder suspect there last June.
On Friday, Mauro trudged across the stage at NYPD headquarters with a boot on his foot to salute the police commissioner and receive his promotion to detective second grade.
"I feel good given the circumstances," Mauro said.
The circumstances haven't been easy for Mauro, as he's undergone multiple surgeries.
"They had to put plates and screws into my foot to kind of rebuild the bone that was lost from the bullet," Mauro said.
His months-long recovery began the night of June 12, 2024. The NYPD detective was working with Woodbridge police to catch a dangerous criminal who had allegedly shot an innocent man in the head in East Harlem the week before.
Police tracked the suspect, Karl Gregory, to the Raritan Hotel, where police say he opened fire on them.
"At first I was afraid because it was going on for a little longer, you know I never had been through anything like this, t went on longer than I would have imagined. The gunfight," Mauro said.
The suspect was killed in the shootout, and a Woodbridge officer was hit in the back.
Mauro is now left with the reminder of how dangerous his job can be.
"I don't remember having the time to really think about it like in depth like that, but I mean obviously I'm grateful to be here today," Mauro said.
He's one step closer to getting back out on the streets.
"I love the police department and like I said I mean I think the work is extremely fulfilling and important especially with serious things like this," Mauro said.
Mauro remains undeterred by something more traumatic than anything he's experienced in his 16 years on the force.
He is inspired by his father's career as a firefighter.
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