A man claiming to be delivering a package to a home in Queens tried to force his way inside when the homeowner came to the door before he fought back and ended up getting shot, police say.
A 12-year-old child answered the door when the shooter rang the bell to a house on 197th Street in Hollis, according to the NYPD. The suspect then told the child he had a package, but when an older man came to the door he tried to push and shove his way inside.
The homeowner fought back, and the intruder ended up shooting him in the thigh, possibly with a BB gun, police said. Two other men emerged from behind a fence and the trio ran away. It wasn’t clear if the house was targeted or not.
Newly released surveillance video from the scene shows the suspect with a package in his hand. The door opens and a struggle ensues and the homeowner is seen pushing the suspect back to the sidewalk.
The victim was taken to an area hospital where he was treated and released. He is expected to be OK, authorities said.
Police said the faux delivery robbers are also thought to be involved in another similar robbery in Hollis, when a man with a package forced their way into a home when one of two teenage sisters answered the door.
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Authorities are also investigating to see whether the men could be involved in a third home invasion where a man was kidnapped and then released.
Anyone with information about the man should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
