A 79-year-old man was shot and killed by NYPD officers outside a police precinct in Queens on Tuesday evening, February 18, 2025. Authorities say the man, who had been reported missing from Nassau County, arrived at the 111th Precinct in Bayside and pointed a loaded gun at an officer, prompting police to open fire.

What Happened?

At around 6:40 p.m., the elderly man pulled up in a white Lexus outside the NYPD’s 111th Precinct in Queens. He began talking to an officer stationed outside the precinct, but moments later, he pulled out a gun and aimed it at the officer, according to Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera.

The officer immediately ordered him to drop the weapon and called for backup. However, the man refused to comply and continued pointing the gun at the officer.

Within seconds, four NYPD officers opened fire, hitting the suspect multiple times. He was rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Suspect Identified and Possible Motive

Authorities have not yet released the suspect’s name, but sources say he was from Great Neck, Long Island. Earlier in the day, Nassau County police had issued an alert for his vehicle, classifying him as a missing person.

It is still unclear why the man went to the police station armed or what his intentions were. Chief Rivera stated that the confrontation happened very quickly, giving officers little time to react.

A loaded Cobra .38 Special revolver was recovered at the scene, confirming that the suspect was armed.

No Officers Injured in the Shooting

Despite the tense situation, no NYPD officers were injured during the exchange of gunfire.

During a press conference, Chief Rivera defended the officers’ actions, stating:

“Our officers are confronted with extremely dangerous and unpredictable situations. They made multiple attempts to de-escalate before taking action.”

Second NYPD Shooting Within 12 Hours

This was the second shooting involving NYPD officers within a 12-hour period. Earlier that day, in an unrelated incident, a violent ex-convict shot and injured an NYPD officer during a four-hour standoff at the Vladeck Houses in Manhattan.

In that case, 34-year-old Edwin Rivera exchanged gunfire with officers as they attempted to execute a search warrant. Rivera was shot and wounded before being taken into custody.

Community Reactions and Investigation

The fatal shooting in Queens has sparked concern and curiosity among residents, as the suspect was an elderly man with no known criminal history.

Some community members questioned whether the situation could have been handled differently, while others supported the officers, stating that they had no choice given the threat.

The NYPD has confirmed that the incident is under review, as per standard protocol in police-involved shootings.

While the exact motive behind the 79-year-old man’s actions remains unknown, this tragic event highlights the unpredictability of police encounters.

As investigations continue, authorities are working to determine why the suspect approached the precinct with a loaded gun and whether mental health issues or other factors played a role.

For now, the NYPD continues to stress that their officers acted in self-defense, ensuring the safety of both law enforcement and the community.