Officials: NYPD officer shot in Jamaica

An NYPD sergeant from the department's Queens gang unit was shot in the legs Wednesday night in Jamaica while pursuing an armed suspect, police said. Police have a suspect in custody.

Craig Bier, a 15-year veteran, was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center shortly after the shooting at about 10:30 p.m. on Union Hall Street.

He was listed in stable condition, authorities said. The injury was not life-threatening, officials said. 

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly visited Bier at the hospital where Bloomberg said, "Another night, and another shooting of one of our finest."

Bloomberg says Bier and his partner, Detective Nick Romano, were in South Jamaica when they attempted to stop someone who fled. When they chased him, the suspect opened fire.

The NYPD says no charges have been filed yet.

Officers were searching late Wednesday night in the surrounding area, less than two blocks south of York College in Jamaica.

According to Kelly, a Ruger 9-mm pistol was recovered in the rear of 167-11 107 Ave., not far from where the officer was shot.

The area where the shooting occurred has been troubled, especially near the public housing, Donna Clopton, president of the 103rd Precinct's community council, said.

"Gangs, drugs -- in spite of having cameras all over the place, it's still a problem," Clopton said. ". . . They [police] keep as close an eye on it as possible, but it's hard."

with The Associated Press