A 79-year-old Long Island man was shot and killed by police officers outside the NYPD’s 111th Precinct station house in Bayside, Queens, on Tuesday evening after he allegedly pointed a loaded revolver at an officer.

Despite multiple attempts to de-escalate the situation, officers were ultimately forced to open fire, leading to the man’s death. The incident has sparked an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

How the Incident Unfolded

According to NYPD Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera, the incident occurred at approximately 6:40 p.m. outside the 111th Precinct station house, located at the southwest corner of 215th Street and Northern Boulevard.

The elderly man parked his car near the precinct and walked toward the station house entrance.

A uniformed officer on security duty approached the man and began a conversation.

Suddenly, the man pulled out a firearm and pointed it at the officer.

In response, the officer repeatedly ordered the man to drop the gun and called for backup. Additional officers quickly arrived at the scene and continued to instruct the man to disarm himself.

Despite multiple warnings, the man refused to comply. When the de-escalation efforts failed, four officers discharged their weapons, striking the suspect multiple times.

Aftermath and Emergency Response

Following the shooting, EMS personnel rushed the man to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The four officers involved in the shooting were also transported to a local hospital for observation.

No officers were physically injured in the encounter.

The NYPD later confirmed that the man was carrying a loaded Cobra .38 Special revolver, which was recovered at the scene.

The entire incident was captured on body-worn cameras worn by the officers, as well as the station’s security video.

Who Was the Suspect?

Authorities have confirmed that the suspect was a resident of Great Neck, Long Island.

He had been reported missing earlier in the day to the Nassau County Police Department.

It remains unclear why he was armed or why he approached the precinct in this manner.

Police have not yet determined if he had any prior connection to law enforcement or if he was suffering from any mental health issues.

An investigation is ongoing to understand the man’s motives and state of mind at the time of the incident.

Ongoing Investigation

The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division has launched an internal probe into the shooting.

Chief Rivera defended the actions of the officers, stating:

“Our officers are confronted with extremely dangerous and unpredictable situations. They attempted to de-escalate this situation multiple times, but unfortunately, the individual refused to comply.”

This marks the second time in less than 12 hours that NYPD officers had been confronted by armed individuals. Earlier in the day, a detective was shot in the arm while attempting to execute a warrant on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

The New York Attorney General’s Office may also review the case, as it involves a police-involved shooting.

Community and Public Reactions

The shooting has sparked concern among local residents, with some questioning whether the situation could have been handled differently.

Some have expressed sympathy for the elderly man, given his age and possible mental health struggles.

Others have defended the NYPD, saying officers had no choice when faced with an armed suspect refusing to comply.

Local activist groups have called for a thorough investigation, with some demanding better mental health interventions for individuals in crisis.

The NYPD has reiterated that bodycam footage will be reviewed as part of the investigation, and further updates will be provided once more details emerge.

What Happens Next?

The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division will conduct a full review of the shooting.

Bodycam footage and security recordings will be examined to ensure proper procedures were followed.

The New York Attorney General’s Office may intervene if any issues arise regarding the officers’ actions.

For now, questions remain about what led the 79-year-old man to brandish a firearm outside a police precinct and whether any additional support could have prevented this tragic outcome.

This fatal shooting outside the NYPD’s 111th Precinct raises important questions about public safety, law enforcement response, and mental health awareness.

As official investigations continue, New Yorkers await more information to better understand the events that led to this tragic confrontation.