Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD: Officers Killed Gunman Who Fatally Shot Man Outside East Village Hookah Bar
By
Jen Chung
and
Jake Offenhartz
Published Jan 9, 2020
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 .
Jake Offenhartz / Gothamist
By
Jen Chung
and
Jake Offenhartz
Published Jan 9, 2020
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
Two men are dead following a police-involved shooting outside an East Village hookah lounge early Thursday morning.
According to NYPD Chief of the Department Terence Monahan, police in the 9th Precinct were patrolling Tompkins Square Park at 3:30 a.m. when they heard gunshots near Avenue A and East 7th Street.
"The two officers immediately exited the park and tactically approached the location, where they observed a man shooting at another man," he said. "The two officers engaged the armed suspect and gave numerous commands for him to get on the ground. It was then, the officers fired three times at the man, striking him."
The suspect was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The other man also died, and Monahan emphasized, "He was NOT shot by our officers."
Police said the two men were been involved in an argument at Hayaty, a hookah lounge on Avenue A, and the dispute continued onto the sidewalk. Police found a .22 caliber handgun under the man shot by officers and another .22 caliber handgun near the second man, they said.
Eric Fuller, a resident of Avenue A and 7th Street, said the gunshots woke him up in the middle of the night.
“I heard a couple pops, I could’ve sworn it was fireworks,” he told Gothamist. “It was really frantic. I heard fighting, and one of the guy’s buddies was screaming to let him into the car car [and take him to the hospital] because the ambulance hadn’t arrived yet.”
Police roped off streets in the East Village.
Jake Offenhartz / Gothamist
“I figured it was another drunk bar fight because that happens all the time on this block, but I guess this time someone had a gun and fired it,” he added.
The blocks surrounding the hookah bar remained cordoned off by police officers on Thursday morning.
The officers, who were uninjured, were taken to the hospital for evaluation. "The body-worn cameras of the officers were activated and are being reviewed," Monahan said.
Tagged
shooting
police involved shooting
east village
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz 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
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 12, 2026
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
News
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
By
David Brand
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
By
Michael Sol Warren
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 .