One suspect is dead and others are still being sought after a shootout involving Nassau County Fifth Precinct officers at the scene of a home invasion Monday night in North Valley Stream, police said.
The body of the dead suspect was found inside the home on Dana Avenue, killed by an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Nassau County police homicide chief Det. Lt. John Azzata said Tuesday.
Police did not say if anyone was in custody and declined comment on News 12 video footage of two men being led from the scene in handcuffs.
It is unclear how many suspects remain at large.
No officers were wounded in the gunfight, which followed what Azzata called "a heroic act" by an officer, who kicked in the door to the home -- and got the residents, including children, to safety before gunfire erupted on the quiet residential street. Four Fifth Precinct officers were taken to a hospital for psychological trauma after the shootout, police said.
"Right now we cannot be one hundred percent sure" that the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Azzata said Tuesday morning. "There's an autopsy to be done, but that would be a good guess."
The shootout occurred when the burglars, fleeing the home, fired on responding officers, police said. Azzata said the officers had responded to a 911 call, placed by one of two adults who live in the home, at 9:17 p.m. Monday. That call reported a burglary in progress.
Police said the incident occurred when one adult, who was not identified, was accosted in the driveway of the house upon returning home.
Police said the other adult was inside the home at the time watching children. It was not clear how many children were inside the house, and police declined to provide details Tuesday, citing the ongoing investigation. It was not clear if the house was targeted.
Azzata provided no motive.
Outside the house Monday night police spokesman Deputy Insp. Kenneth Lack said: "When the officers came to the scene, the subjects began to flee and began firing shots at the officers. The officers were forced to return fire."
Azzata said Tuesday it was still unclear how the events unfolded -- and said only that police are still seeking suspects.
More than 15 police cars, a helicopter and a canine unit converged on the Dana Avenue home following the gunfire, police and witnesses said.
There were also ambulances on the street, neighbors said.
Police cordoned off the area Monday night and were seen checking a gray Infiniti not far from the home as a helicopter circled the area. Undercover police were also on scene. Drivers in the area were stopped and checked by police.
Bernardin Fleurima, who lives a few houses down from the shooting scene, said he was watching television when he heard loud noises.
"I heard pop, pop, pop, pop," said Fleurima, pastor of a Hempstead church. "I thought it was the television at first.
"When I went out . . . cops were everywhere."
With Ellen Yan and Bill Mason
Copyright 2012 - Newsday, Melville, N.Y.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
