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NEW YORK POLICE opened fire 18 times in downtown Manhattan yesterday, before subduing a suspect armed with a meat cleaver who seriously wounded an off-duty Irish detective, police said.
Acts of violence are rare in broad daylight in Manhattan, which has seen record-low crime rates after decades of tough policing.
The police gave chase shortly after 5pm New York time (10pm last night Irish time) in response to alleged criminal mischief, police said, refusing to rule out terrorism as a possibility.
The victim was named by local media in New York as Brian O’Donnell, an off-duty NYPD detective from Raheny in Dublin.
The 39-year-old moved across the Atlantic in 1993, and has since become been well known for arresting Christian Slater in 2005 after the actor allegedly groped a woman in a New York supermarket.
“At this point, the initial radio run was (for) criminal mischief,” said department chief James O’Neill, who is poised to take over as New York police chief.
As part of our investigation, nothing is off the table.
Akram Joudeh, 32, tried to remove a car clamp from a car not far from Penn Station, then fled from officers on foot after pulling an 11-inch (28-centimeter) meat cleaver from his waistband, police said.
Gash
An initial attempt to taser him failed. When he mounted the front grille of a marked police car, a detective in civilian clothes attempted to subdue him.
The off-duty officer sustained a six-inch gash from his temple to his jaw, at which point police opened fire 18 times.
NYPD NEWS / TwitterThe suspect struck the detective in the head causing an approximate 6-inch wound.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) September 15, 2016
Critical but stable condition
The suspect is in critical but stable condition in the hospital, the detective is in serious condition and two more officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries, O’Neill said.
Asked by reporters whether it was necessary to fire 18 shots in a busy area, O’Neill replied: “Keep in mind that he had just attacked an off-duty officer who has a six-inch gash on his face and he has a 11-inch cleaver.”
In a statement to TheJournal.ie, the New York Police Department said: “An off-duty detective in civilian clothes attempted to subdue the suspect. The detective was struck in the head by the cleaver causing an approximate six-inch gash.
Uniformed members then fired at the suspect, striking him several times. The detective and the suspect were transported to Bellevue Hospital.
“The detective is currently listed in serious condition. The suspect is in critical condition.
Two additional officers sustained non-life threatening injuries during the encounter. It has not been determined how these injuries were sustained at this time.
“The suspect is identified as Akram Joudeh who is a 32 year-old male with a last known address in Queens but is now living in his car.”
With reporting from AFP.
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I saw this happening right outside my office yesterday. Heard a flurry of shots and people running, scary, scary stuff.
A justified shooting by all accounts. Pity it didn’t permanently subdue him though
@cholly appleseed: They tasered him first and it didn’t work.
Yep I know. That’s why I’m saying it’s completely justified. The American cops get a hard time for shootings particularly when it’s any minority. 99% it’s justified but the media mislead and warp facts.
@BevinArmageddon:
Maybe it was Christian Slater who hired the fiend to gain some revenge on the injured party !
The story didn’t reference Christian Slater at first so I had no idea what you were talking about.
Shut up idiot.You are a murdering b*stard then?
@ cholly
Ffs, all over the attempted removal of a clamp! Why did this Irish lad go all Rambo and not just let him run away as he was trying to, they could track him to his address using the details on the car and bill him for the parking offence, Chr*st talk about an unnecessary escalation
The attacker’s name is Akram Joudeh. Why am I not surprised….
Because you’re a feckin ignorant racist perhaps?
@Amy Smith: Because New York is a big, multicultural melting pot??
John I’m not an ignorant racist. I’m just saying what everyone is thinking. No need for name calling.
Just calling you and your false profile for what you are “Amy”…
…and the fact that you think everyone thinks in racist terms like you do proves the validity of my statement…
Cops attacked by a meat cleaver. If I had to bet my entirety on what kind of individual committed such an act, I’m confident I could
John most journal users are anonymous. You are just a grumpy old crazy cat man.
Where’s “black lives matter” supporters?
Judging by the photo he could be claimed by the movement and supporters could be ripping into the cops!
So you’re a cat hater too Amy? It must really crack you up that my cat is black!!!
BTW… I don’t discriminate. I like to think of myself as a crazy, chronologically-challenged cat and dog man, as I’ve a dog too!
@Amy Smith: what’s the matter with you? “Saying what we’re all thinking”? No, you’re saying what small minded racists are thinking. The rest of us think his name makes no difference.
You’re a sad little bitter person.
18 shots…that’s 17 wasted bullets, it’s back to basic training for you
How is he an irish police officer?
@ray.farrelly: He was born in Ireland…
one of them hit another officer as well… those guys should go to efficient weapon usage classes.
@Ray He’s from Co. Offaly. He left Offaly for NY 16 years ago.
@Alien8: I’m sure you’d be an expert in that situation.
The NYPD have heavy triggers on their firearms. It makes accurate shooting even more difficult than it should be. And apparently he was hit ‘several times’, so not 17 wasted. I hope the lad who was injured makes a full and speedy recovery.
Anon. But is he not a new york police officer who happened to be born in Ireland.
Ray have you ever met a police officer in NYC that wasn’t Irish? If you have we’d love to here about it
Boganity. It does not matter where he was born he is still a new york police officer.
You’re correct Ray, its the wording of the headline, it makes it seem he was an Irish Police officer attacked whilst in New York, it should read ‘Dublin born NYC Police Detective attacked with meat cleaver’ but that headline wouldn’t generate as many clicks
Thank you Boeing. I see they have now changed the headline.
Akram Joudeh ya dirty rodent
Just happened to have a meat cleaver in his waist. WTF?
Dont Sikh’s and Yemenis have blades on their waist?
I’m ok folks, it’s only a shaving cut.
A six inch gash on his face! That’s going to leave a pretty bad scar. Poor guy.
Fortunately they can do wonders with micro surgery so hopefully it won’t be too bad. Nerve damage is the big thing. Got slashed a few years back, not as bad of course but I have some idea of the damage it can do.
He went home today & came out of the hospital to a huge crowd applauding him as he and his family got into their cars
According to the Independent this gentleman is from Offaly not Dublin, regardless of where he Is from the good need is that he is alive and well.
Oh wait, is it because people with biases will seek out and highlight that which reinforces those biases while unconsciously avoiding anything that contradicts them??
That has to be the cleanest meat clever I have ever seen after butchering someone !
If that picture is of him, he definitely looks over 50. What did he do to himself to age so badly? A life style? Maybe instead of catching up people with pipes, he should drink less alcohol or whatever he does to look so unhealthy.
@Jindrich Marz: Are you for real? What does the poor guys appearance have to with anything! “If that picture is of him” no it’s just a stock photo of an “Irish American cop”. ya feckin tool.
@BevinArmageddon: I am for real.
James O’Neill is the Police Chief. He’s ‘poised’ to take over as commissioner
Trump will restore law and order. Largest police union just endorsed him
No bother to fish to get into the mix….
have your say