Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Mounted NYPD Cop Defends Police Car, Shoots Man
By
Ben Yakas
Published Nov 5, 2010
Modified Nov 5, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Nov 5, 2010
Modified Nov 5, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
You don't often hear stories about mounted NYPD officers defending a police vehicle. Oh sure, there are plenty of stories about guys inadvertently slipping their fingers into horses, and cops shooting at people messing with their cars. But officers on horseback are not normally called upon to protect their mechanical brothers. But one Brooklyn mountie heeded just such a call early this morning.
Mounted cop Matt Sobota, an 18-year NYPD veteran, was getting ready for the day at 5:30 a.m. inside the NYPD's Mounted Unit Troop E in Brighton Beach, when a civilian employee informed him someone was trying to break into a cop car outside. Not fully dressed, Sobota ran out to find an unidentified man had smashed the window of the car with a brick. According to the Post, the man attacked Sobota with the brick, and the two ended up in a tussle. Sobota fired his gun twice in the melee, hitting the suspect in the left shoulder.
The would-be thief/vandal was apprehended, and is in stable condition, while Sobota was taken to Coney Island Hospital for observation. Sobota's horse hopes this doesn't stirrup anymore troubles for their otherwise stable relationship.
Tagged
brick
car
cop
horse
mounted police
nypd
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
News
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says
By
Jon Campbell
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
By
David Brand
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .