Case Summary
- Case Type
- Burglary
- Incident Time
- Saturday morning
- Location
- 149th Street, South Ozone Park, NY
- Investigating Agency
- New York City Police Department
- Case Status
- Under investigation
New York City Police Department officers shot an unidentified woman armed with a knife on Saturday morning while responding to a reported break-in and stabbing at a residence in South Ozone Park, Queens, authorities said.
The incident occurred at a home on 149th Street following multiple emergency calls reporting an ongoing burglary and violent disturbance. Responding officers encountered a complex scene involving several injured individuals requiring immediate emergency medical transport.
Incident Overview
According to police, officers arriving at the 149th Street address knocked on the door without receiving an answer. Moments later, a male occupant shouted from a second story window that he had been stabbed by his uncle. Shortly after, a woman opened a third story window and threw house keys down to officers to give them entry.
Officers entered the residence and proceeded to the third floor, where they found a woman and two men engaged in a physical struggle. Police directed the individuals to raise their hands, prompting them to separate. According to NYPD Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera, the woman pointed at one man across the room with her left hand but refused to raise her right hand or follow commands. She then advanced toward the officers while holding a knife. When she came within several feet, an officer fired his weapon, striking her. Officers then deployed a taser and secured the knife. She was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Three men were also hospitalized with stab wounds.
Victim Information
Authorities stated that three men sustained stab wounds prior to or during the altercation. All three were transported by emergency medical services to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police have not released their identities or detailed their relationships, beyond one resident's statement indicating his uncle was involved in the stabbing.
Police Response
NYPD officers responded immediately to multiple 911 calls reporting a break-in and active stabbing. After entering the third floor using keys provided by an occupant, officers intervened in the active altercation, discharged a firearm when threatened, and rendered emergency medical assistance to all injured parties before emergency medical services arrived.
Investigation
The NYPD is actively investigating what led to the break-in and stabbings. Department investigators and forensic personnel were deployed to process the scene, document evidence, and interview witnesses. The NYPD Force Investigation Division routinely reviews all officer-involved firearm discharges to determine compliance with departmental protocols.
Evidence Collected
- A knife recovered by officers following the shooting.
- Conducted energy weapon (taser) deployment evidence and fired cartridge casings.
- Physical and forensic evidence from the third floor of the residence.
Charges Filed
Specific charges have not yet been announced by prosecutors. In New York, potential legal classifications involved in violent residential incidents include:
- Burglary: Entering or remaining unlawfully in a building with intent to commit a crime. Burglary in the first degree is a Class B violent felony punishable by 5 to 25 years in state prison when physical injury or a dangerous weapon is involved.
- Assault: Intentionally or recklessly causing physical injury or serious physical injury with a deadly weapon. First-degree assault is a Class B violent felony carrying significant prison sentences upon conviction.
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon: Possessing a dangerous instrument with intent to use it unlawfully, carrying charges ranging from misdemeanors to severe violent felonies depending on circumstances.
Court Information
Court dates and docket numbers have not been assigned as formal charges remain under review by the Queens County District Attorney's Office. Initial court proceedings for offenses committed in Queens fall under Queens County Criminal Court in Kew Gardens, New York, with felony charges subject to grand jury evaluation.
Statements from Authorities
NYPD Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera detailed the shooting during a press briefing: "The female pointed with her left hand at one of the males across the room but did not raise her right hand, the officers continued to issue the same verbal commands, the female still did not comply and moved in the direction of the officers with a knife in her hand. She was within several feet of the officers when an officer discharged his firearm, striking her. She fell to the ground, an officer deployed his taser and another officer recovered the knife."
Public Safety Information
Members of the public facing immediate danger, burglary, or domestic violence should call 911. Confidential assistance for domestic conflicts is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
What Happens Next
Investigators will review physical evidence, await medical evaluations, and submit findings to prosecutors. The Queens District Attorney will decide whether to lodge formal criminal charges. Internal police reviews will evaluate the officer-involved shooting, while any eventual defendants will face arraignment in criminal court.
