NYPD officers injured in Astoria crime spree

Two Critical Response Command police officers were injured and a suspect was shot Sunday after a series of attacks in Astoria in which one man was killed inside a liquor store, a homeless man was burned and a third person was slashed, NYPD officials said.

After a manhunt, officers cornered the suspect, James Patrick Dillon, 23, at about 5:40 p.m. near 36th Street, between 28th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard. A total of seven shots were fired in the backyard of the home Dillon shares with his parents, police said, and he was struck several times. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition, police said.

During the exchange, the two officers, a lieutenant and inspector, were burned on their hands from a chemical accelerant contained in a Corona bottle, that was sprayed at them, police said.

“This has been a very unusual day here in Astoria,” said Assistant Chief Diana Pizzuti, commanding officer of the patrol borough of Queens North, speaking outside the 114th Precinct. “There was quite the manhunt to find the suspect.”

Investigators tested the substance, but were not immediately able to determine what it was, said Deputy Chief John Essig. His family indicated that Dillon had not been taking his medication, Essig said.

In the first attack at about 11:30 a.m., Dillon slashed a 39-year-old woman in the face and neck on 36th Street, near 28th Avenue, police said. Dillon and the woman were neighbors, police said.

Just after 3 p.m., Dillon allegedly struck again, fatally stabbing George Patouhas, the 55-year-old owner of an Astoria Boulevard liquor store. Patouhas had intervened after Dillon started an argument with a man sitting in a chair, Essig said.

Dillon then stepped out of the store and allegedly threw accelerant back inside, lighting a 61-year-old homeless man on fire. The homeless man was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center and is now in stable condition.

At about 5:10 p.m., Dillon broke into an apartment on 42nd Street, near Newtown Road, but fled, police said.

About 30 minutes later, the two Critical Response Command officers spotted Dillon in the back of a home on 36th Street. He had a knife, police said, and a bottle of accelerant. He allegedly refused to drop the knife or the bottle, and sprayed the officers. They then shot the suspect who was also taken to Elmhurst Hospital.

A green knife was recovered from the scene, police said. The officers were taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and were in stable condition, police said.

By Sunday night, dozens of officers converged on the block where Dillon lives with his family. Cops had cordoned off the block.

Andrew King, 47, lives a few blocks from the crime scene and said he knew both Dillon and the 55-year-old victim for several years. “Everyone is shocked at what went on here, we don’t believe this,” said King, who works as a mover. “I’m very depressed from this.”

Jonathon Martinez, 28, said he often sees Dillon walking around the neighborhood. “He’s usually over here in the morning. He says ‘hello’ to people walking by,” Martinez said.

— With Emily Ngo