Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Officers shot man with knife outside East Harlem grocery store, NYPD says
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Apr 6, 2026
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 .
From NYPD video
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Apr 6, 2026
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
Police officers shot a man who charged at them with a knife outside a grocery store in East Harlem early Monday morning, NYPD officials said.
At around 1:36 a.m., police said, officers responded to a call of a 53-year-old man outside a grocery store harassing employees after getting into a verbal argument with another customer on 3rd Avenue between 120nd and 121st Streets.
NYPD Inspector Andrew Natiw said at an early morning media briefing that the man was carrying a “large kitchen knife,” approximately 13 inches long, in his hand and was banging on the window of the shop.
Natiw said officers were immediately confronted by the man when they arrived on scene and gave multiple commands for him to drop the knife. Natiw said the man then approached the officers with the knife extended out, and one officer shot the man.
NYPD officials did not at the media briefing say how many bullets were fired. The man was transferred to Harlem Hospital in critical but stable condition, Natiw said. He didn’t disclose the man’s identity.
The officers involved in the shooting were also transferred to a local hospital for an evaluation, he said. NYPD officials said the entire incident was captured on body-worn cameras, and an investigation is ongoing.
This story is based on preliminary information from police and may be updated.
Tagged
manhattan
public safety
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
As Bat Week begins, state wildlife officials urge New Yorkers to protect bats, which play an important role in the environment.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 6:44 p.m. ET
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
News
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
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 .