Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Rookie Cop Shot In Crown Heights Was Pursuing Bus Fare-Beater
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 27, 2014
Modified Feb 27, 2014
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 .
My Fox NY
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 27, 2014
Modified Feb 27, 2014
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
Yesterday at 5 p.m., an on-duty police officer was shot at Empire Boulevard and Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. Police officer James Li is recovering from gunshot wounds to his groin, leg and thigh, and it turns out that he and his partner were chasing two men who had boarded a B46 without paying.
According to the NYPD, Li and police officer Randy Show spotted two males entering the bus' rear door. The cops entered the bus and pulled the two fare-beaters off. One of the suspects then fled west on Empire Boulevard. The police say, "A short chase ensued and the suspect then turned around from a distance of approximately 10 feet and fired at the offices striking PO Li. PO Li and PO Chow both returned gunfire."
As Good Samaritans—off-duty EMTs Khadija Hall and Shaun Alexander—helped with Li's injuries (he collapsed in the parking lot of a White Castle), they also told responding officers where the suspect fled. Rashaun Robinson, 28, was caught on the fifth-floor of 455 Schenectady Avenue by sergeant Alfred Kelley and police officer Robert Schmidt, who reportedly found a 45 caliber Smith and Wesson on Robinson in his waistband.
Robinson apparently has "six city arrests on his record and a drug warrant from Pennsylvania," according to the Daily News.
Police Commissioner Bratton said, "This was just a great piece of police work on the part of the initiating officers, as well as the pursuing officers and the apprehension of this suspect with a loaded firearm who showed no compunction whatsoever about turning and firing three times at the officers. So a dangerous felon now off the street, another firearm off the street, all as a result of very good police work by two rookie police officers who I’m pleased to have as members of the New York City Police Department."
Li, 26, who along with Chow were in the most recent NYPD graduating class, is in stable condition. Mayor de Blasio visited him in the hospital and said, "They've only been on the job for a few months, and they responded like seasoned veterans, and it's something we as New Yorkers can be very proud of."
Tagged
brooklyn
Crown Heights
fare beater
fare beating
gun violence
police involved shooting
shot cop
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
All of Staten Island and the Bronx will be eligible for seats.
By
Karen Yi
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
Because she's 18 years old now, here are your early links: The RHONY castmember mentioned in the Epstein Files, killing rats with carbon monoxide, Selena Gomez says don't vape and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
Because she's 18 years old now, here are your early links: The RHONY castmember mentioned in the Epstein Files, killing rats with carbon monoxide, Selena Gomez says don't vape and more.
By
James Ramsay
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
By
Walter Wuthmann
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 .