NYPD police officer shot exchanging gunfire with suspect in large fight, authorities say
NYPD Commissioner William Bratton visits Officer Sherrod Stuart at the hospital hours after the four-year veteran was injured in a shootout in the Bronx on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. Credit: NYPD
An NYPD officer was shot after exchanging gunfire with a suspect involved in a large fight outside a South Bronx party, authorities say.
NYPD Officer Sherrod Stuart, 25, was shot in the right foot early Saturday morning, the day of his fourth anniversary with the police department, Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said at a press conference. He is in stable condition at Lincoln Hospital.
The suspect, Christopher Brown, 19, was also shot, and is in serious condition at the same hospital, Bratton said.
Stuart and a partner responded to numerous 911 calls about a fight in the street with guns, knives and bats outside 2505 Third Ave., Bratton said.
The officers pursued Brown when they arrived around 2 a.m. and exchanged gunfire, Bratton said. Stuart was struck in front of 188 Lincoln Ave. He returned gunfire, striking Brown four times, Bratton said.
Brown had five prior arrests, including one on Friday on a charge of fare beating, Bratton said. He was released just three hours before the shooting.
The fight erupted outside a "jump-up party," or an unplanned event that turns into a large party, police said.
Five other stabbing victims connected with the fight have been taken to area hospitals, Bratton said.
A 380-semi-automatic firearm was recovered at the scene as well as three more firearms, Bratton said.
