Armed, ‘Irrational' Man Wounded by Police in Brooklyn: NYPD

Several witnesses told police he was screaming and yelling at people while showing his weapon in a “menacing manner.”

What to Know

  • A man was hospitalized after a police-involved shooting in the Prospect-Lefferts Gardens neighborhood.
  • The officers identified themselves and ordered him not to move, according to police. When he turned toward officers, he was shot.
  • Several witnesses told police he was screaming and yelling at people while showing his weapon in a “menacing manner.”

An armed man who witnesses said was displaying “total irrational behavior” was wounded by police on a Brooklyn street Sunday morning.

Seven officers responded to reports of shots being fired around 7:20 a.m. at Rogers and Lefferts avenues in the Prospect-Lefferts Gardens neighborhood, police said at a news conference later in the day.

Three responding officers saw the armed man standing in the middle of the street, police said.

The officers identified themselves and ordered him not to move, according to police.

When he turned toward them, a lieutenant and two police officers fired 12 rounds, striking the man once in his right hip, investigators said.

The man, who was identified as Paul Mathurin, 31, was taken to Kings County Hospital, police said. He is expected to survive his wound.

The three officers were transported to an area hospital for observation, police said. They were all treated and released.

Several witnesses told police Mathurin was screaming and shouting at people while flashing his weapon in a “menacing manner.” Additionally, witnesses told police he had fired the weapon and had been showing “total irrational behavior.”

Mathurin's gun, a 9mm Taurus handgun, was recovered at the scene, police said.

There was no information available as to whether Mathurin had obtained a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.

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