Veteran NYPD Officer Shot in Arm in Gunfight with Suspect

An NYPD officer was shot in the arm during a gun fight in the Bronx with a suspect with an extensive criminal history, who also was wounded in the exchange late Tuesday.

The shooting happened at about 10:45 p.m. in the city's Claremont neighborhood, the New York Daily News reports. Two officers in the NYPD's new anti-gun unit had tried to stop the suspect, who turned and began shooting.

The officers returned fire, striking the suspect—Rameek Smith, 25—twice. Officer Dennis Vargas also was struck in the left arm in the exchange. 

Vargas, an eight-year NYPD veteran, was taken to the hospital and released early Wednesday. Smith, who was wounded in the head, was also taken to the hospital, where he later died, according to the New York Daily Post.

”I have to commend our courageous officers,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said during a news conference. “This is what we asked them to do. And you’re on the streets every day … risking their lives on behalf of New Yorkers.”

Smith had recently appeared in court over a firearms charge and was expected to return in June. He was armed with a 9mm Glock handgun, which was recovered at the scene, according to police.