By h. nazan ışık —
1 August 2024 —
Two NYPD officers were injured while responding to an armed robbery on Thursday, 1 August in Lower Manhattan, said Mayor Eric Adams to reporters at Bellevue Hospital.
Mayor Eric Adams at Bellevue Hospital © h. nazan ışık
Mayor Eric Adams: “We’re here to update all New Yorkers on the shooting involving two NYPD officers that took place this afternoon. [..] These brave officers were shot in the line of duty responding to an armed robbery in Manhattan. After a brief pursuit of the suspect on foot, one officer was shot in the upper thigh and the other was grazed in the left thigh. Both officers are currently here at Bellevue Hospital and are expected to make a full recovery. The suspect is in custody at this time”
How did it happen? Let’s hear it from Chief Joseph Kenny, Chief of Detectives, Police Department.
Chief Joseph Kenny, Chief of Detectives, Police Department: “Today at 4:15 this afternoon, we received a 911 call requesting police to respond to 91 Canal Street on the second floor. The caller stated that a male was at the location armed with a gun and that he was robbing women of their purses.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny talking to reporters at Bellevue Hospital © h. nazan ışık
The suspect produces a firearm and announces a robbery, points it at numerous women and begins to steal their purses, and flees the location.”
Officers respond to 91 Canal Street, second floor, a Mahjong parlor, might be some gambling at the location. Multiple victims inform the officers that the male with the gun fled, said Chief Kenny.
Who is the suspect?
Chief Joseph Kenny: “That male is identified as Joshua Dorsett. He is 22 years old. He has three prior arrests. His last arrest was in 2022 for criminal possession of a controlled substance here in Manhattan. He is a known gang member and he is currently on probation. He’s required to report to his probation officer every month. And we know he reported this morning, actually.”
What happened? How did two NYPD officers get shot?
Chief Joseph Kenny: “When two uniformed sergeants stop Dorsett, he begins to pull a loaded firearm out of his front pants pocket. A struggle begins for the possession of the gun between Dorsett and the two sergeants, and a shot is fired by the perpetrator, Dorsett. One sergeant is struck in the groin. One sergeant is struck (grazed) in the left leg. We have one bullet that hit both cops,”
“And then the two injured officers and other responding officers handcuff the perpetrator. Joshua Dorsett was taken into custody and a loaded semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene,” said Chief Kenny.
“We removed over 17,000 guns off our streets and we continue to go after those who believe they can carry illegal guns in this city,” says Mayor Eric Adams.
Mayor Eric Adams: “The suspect, who actually visited his probation officer this morning, is in custody at this time and I want to be clear, our NYPD officers did not fire on the suspect.
Mayor Eric Adams © h. nazan ışık
“This shooting underlines the danger that the men and women of all of our law enforcement communities in general but specifically the members of the NYPD face every day. Dangerous people that are fully capable of using illegal weapons to cause harm not only on police officers but civilians in the city. That is why we removed over 17,000 guns off our streets and we continue to go after those who believe they can carry illegal guns in this city.”
Chief Kenny “One officer will be treated and released with a graze wound to the leg. The other officer who was shot in the groin will be held overnight for observation.
The officer with a graze wound was treated and released to a standing ovation.
Officers are waiting to give a standing ovation to the NYPD sergeant who is released from hospital. © h. nazan ışık
The NYPD sergeant who is released from hospital waves his hand to officers who gave him a standing ovation. © h, nazan ışık
How safe is New York City?
Mayor Eric Adams © h. nazan ışık
Mayor Eric Adams:“ Dangerous people that are fully capable of using illegal weapons to cause harm not only on police officers but civilians in the city.
New York City remains the safest big city in the country because we have the finest police department carrying out the job every day.”
“ The Safest Big City in the Country!?!?”
What is Missing???
“ A 22 year- old gang member young man who has three prior arrests, his last arrest was in 2022 for criminal possession of a controlled substance here in Manhattan, and he is currently on probation. He’s required to report to his probation officer every month. And he reported this morning, actually.” says Chief Kenny.
After his report to his probation officer he gets a loaded gun, goes to a Mahjong parlor, robbing women of their purses.It could have happened anywhere, a restaurant, a subway station…etc…
Imagine, would keeping this 22 year- old gang member young man who has three prior arrests, for mental observation for a while instead of letting him be outside help NYC be safer ????
Photographs © h. nazan ışık
© h. nazan ışık / NKENdiKEN