A driver operating a stolen vehicle struck several New York City Police Department officers with the car before being shot by law enforcement during a confrontation on West Fordham Road in the Bronx on Sunday. The incident unfolded after authorities located a silver Kia Sportage that had been reported stolen earlier in the day. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the situation escalated when the driver refused to comply with repeated commands to exit the vehicle.
The confrontation turned violent when the driver put the vehicle in reverse and struck at least one officer, an unmarked police car, and multiple additional members of the NYPD. After hitting several officers while reversing, the driver shifted into drive and turned the steering wheel toward a sergeant standing nearby, running over the law enforcement official and throwing him to the ground.
License plate readers led police to stolen vehicle location
Law enforcement tracked the stolen Kia Sportage through automated license plate reader technology after the vehicle was reported missing from the Bronx. Officers located the car as it traveled along West Fordham Road and moved to intercept it. Police surrounded the vehicle and issued multiple orders directing both the driver and passenger to step out, according to official statements.
When the occupants failed to comply, the situation rapidly deteriorated. The driver’s decision to use the vehicle as a weapon against multiple officers prompted the use of deadly force by law enforcement personnel at the scene.
Officer positioned on nearby vehicle opened fire on driver
As the driver continued attempting to flee the area after striking the sergeant, an officer positioned on top of a nearby vehicle discharged his firearm, striking the driver. Aneudy Castillo, assistant chief and commanding officer of Patrol Borough Bronx North, provided details about the sequence of events during a press briefing.
“As members of the NYPD were around the car, the driver of the stolen vehicle put the car into reverse, hitting one member, hitting one of the unmarked vehicles, and ultimately hitting multiple members of the NYPD. He then put the Kia into drive and turned the wheels of the Kia to the right, where Sergeant was standing. He drove the car into the sergeant who was thrown to the ground,” Castillo explained.
Driver and injured officers transported to local hospitals
Emergency medical services transported the driver to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition following the shooting. The officers injured during the incident also received medical treatment at local hospitals and were reported to be in stable condition as well.
- The driver was shot by an officer positioned on a nearby vehicle
- Multiple NYPD members were struck by the vehicle during the escape attempt
- A sergeant was thrown to the ground after being run over
- All injured parties, including the driver, were in stable condition
- The entire incident was captured on body-worn camera footage
Charges against the driver remain pending as authorities continue their investigation. The department confirmed that body-worn camera footage recorded the entire confrontation and is being reviewed as part of the ongoing inquiry into the use of force.
Suspect previously arrested for shooting in February
Police revealed that the individual driving the stolen vehicle has a significant criminal history. He was arrested in February after allegedly shooting another man, facing multiple felony charges including attempted felony assault, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of a firearm. Despite the serious nature of those charges, he was apparently free at the time of Sunday’s incident involving the stolen vehicle.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about repeat offenders and the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with individuals who have prior arrests for violent crimes. Authorities have not released the suspect’s identity pending formal charges related to the vehicle theft and assault on police officers.
