Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Police officer shot in the arm in the Bronx, NYPD says
By
Gwynne Hogan
Published Jan 17, 2023
Modified Jan 17, 2023
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 .
NYPD
By
Gwynne Hogan
Published Jan 17, 2023
Modified Jan 17, 2023
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
A police officer was recovering from a gunshot wound Tuesday morning and a 16-year-old suspect is in custody.
The shooting occurred in the Bronx shortly after 3 a.m., according to James Essig, the NYPD’s Chief of Detectives, who spoke at a press conference at Saint Barnabas Hospital Tuesday morning, several hours after the incident. He said that two officers in uniform were driving an unmarked car, and attempted to approach two people standing on a street corner.
As the officers pulled up to the intersection of East 183rd Street and Prospect Avenue, one person opened fire, blasting at least six shots and shattering the car’s windshield, said Essig.
One of the bullets struck the police officer in the arm inside the vehicle, Essig said. Both officers jumped out of the car and chased the two people, opening fire. A police spokesperson said that no one else was injured.
In the commotion, another shooter opened fire down the street from the officers. Essig said that, based on video surveillance footage, it did not appear that they were aiming at the officers.
Police caught up to a 16-year-old who was taken into custody. The NYPD is still looking for two other suspects; one person who was with the teen on the corner and the second shooter who opened fire down the block.
One person was last seen dressed in all black, the second was wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans at the time of the shooting.
“Let me be clear. We will stop at nothing to ensure that the subjects involved in this shooting and the people who drive violence in this city will be brought to justice,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
Police said they recovered a .32 caliber gun at the scene.
It’s unclear exactly why officers approached the two people on the corner in the first place. Chief Essig said the two were part of the 48th Precinct’s Public Safety Team, tasked with getting guns off the streets. Essig described that corner as a “known gang location” where the NYPD regularly sends officers to survey.
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell and New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined Essig at Saint Barnabas Hospital where the wounded police officer was expected to make a full recovery.
“Too many young people have too many guns in their hands,” Adams said. “And our job is to create a pathway to stop that.”
Seven police officers were shot while on duty in 2021, according to the most recent data available.
At 3:04 p.m. Tuesday, the NYPD tweeted that the officer was released from the hospital.
Tagged
nypd
the bronx
Gwynne Hogan
Gwynne Hogan 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
North Brooklyn street redesign paves the way for NYC's 'low-traffic neighborhood' plan
The city transportation department is using plastic bollards to push car traffic away from the streets around McGolrick Park.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Nov 12, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET
Brooklyn building collapse: 4 dead, 7 children among at least 23 injured
The three-story building collapsed near the intersection of Flatbush and Bedford Avenues.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
,
Hannah Frishberg
,
David Brand
and
Liam Quigley
News
Brooklyn building collapse: 4 dead, 7 children among at least 23 injured
The three-story building collapsed near the intersection of Flatbush and Bedford Avenues.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
,
Hannah Frishberg
,
David Brand
and
Liam Quigley
Manhattan’s East Side loses another movie theater to development
By
Hannah Frishberg
Teen arrested for fatal shooting of 15-year-old Bronx boy walking to school, NYPD says
By
Hannah Frishberg
Wind, rain, maybe snowflakes: It's about to get chilly around NYC
By
Giulia Heyward
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 .