Two Long Island police officers were stabbed after responding to a call about a man menacing a neighbor with a fire extinguisher at a condominium complex, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
A case worker checking on two roommates who lived along the Birchwood Road complex in Medford called police around 5 p.m. Wednesday, saying that one of the residents was acting violently toward the other.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said the 56-year-old man, who was identified as Enrique Lopez, was threatening the other resident with the extinguisher.
Police said Lopez pulled what was described as a "Rambo style" butcher knife on officers who responded to the scene, then stabbed two of the cops at the scene shortly after. The officers then opened fire on Lopez, killing him.
Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters.
One of the officers suffered a deep stab wound to the clavicle and was airlifted to the hospital, Harrison said. The other officer was stabbed multiple times to the chest.
Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association President Noel DiGerlamo said in a statement that both officers were in "critical but stable condition," adding that "God willing, they will make a full recovery from the horrific incident." Harrison said that both are expected to survive.
A third officer, who had not been stabbed, was treated for minor injuries. It was not clear how he suffered his injuries.
News
The 56-year-old Lopez had some arrest history as well as some possible mental health issues. Residents of the complex said that it wasn't the first time police were called there, and for months all of the calls had revolved around the same resident — who one neighbor said she didn't feel safe living next door to.
"Definitely shocking and crazy. Nobody wanted it to get to this point, but this has been an ongoing problem," Leeann Orlando said of Lopez.
Another resident said some residents suspected the same person was responsible for car vandalism and harassment in the complex for months.
No one answered the door at the condo where the stabbing suspect is believed to have lived.
An investigation is ongoing.
