Man Shot by NYPD After Allegedly Pointing Gun at Officer

Police heard shots fired near the intersection of East 188th Street and Webster Avenue just before 3 a.m.

A 23-year-old man was shot by police after allegedly pointing a gun at an NYPD lieutenant responding to the sound of shots being fired in the Bronx early Sunday, authorities say. 

According to police, two plainclothes officers and a lieutenant in an unmarked patrol car heard shots fired near East 188th Street and Webster Avenue shortly before 3 a.m. As the officers approached the intersection, more shots were heard about a block away.

The lieutenant then saw a man with a gun, later identified as Jarius Copper, and heard more shots ringing out in his direction, police said.

The lieutenant got out of the patrol car, identified himself as police and ordered Copper to drop the weapon, according to police. Copper allegedly then turned and pointed his gun at the lieutenant, and the lieutenant fired five shots at the suspect.

The lieutenant shot Copper in the left ankle, and the suspect ran away. Officers chased him down a few blocks away, arrested him and recovered his .22-caliber revolver.

Copper is facing attempted murder and attempted felony assault charges. It’s not immediately clear if he has an attorney.

Police are now looking for Anderson Puntiel, another man officers allegedly saw shooting at Copper.

Anyone with information on Puntiel is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

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