A New York subway commuter, Gregory Delpeche, was caught in the crossfire of an NYPD shooting incident at a Brooklyn train station. Delpeche, 49, underwent cranial surgery to address swelling from a bullet wound in his head. He remains sedated in the hospital, with his family by his side as doctors monitor his severe injury.
Delpeche’s cousin, Greg Nougues, mentioned that doctors had to operate on his brain swelling by opening up his skull. The family is now seeking legal counsel as they navigate the uncertain prognosis for Delpeche, who is currently reliant on a breathing tube.
The shooting incident occurred when police officers confronted a man who had entered the station without paying. Despite orders to stop, the man made threats towards the officers, leading to the police firing multiple shots. In the chaos, Delpeche and a 26-year-old woman were unintentionally hit, alongside one of the officers who sustained a gunshot wound near his armpit.
Accounts from witnesses and bystander videos depict a chaotic aftermath of the shooting, with passengers fleeing in fear and injured individuals receiving assistance from the police. Delpeche’s friend, Leighton Lee, expressed dismay at the situation, questioning why shots were fired in a crowded area.
Mayor Eric Adams addressed the incident during a press conference, expressing sympathy for the innocent bystanders who were harmed. Adams stated that he personally visited the 26-year-old woman injured in the shooting and discussed the situation with her mother. He defended the officers’ actions, noting that they attempted to reason with the suspect before resorting to gunfire.
Meanwhile, investigations into the shooting continue, with police searching for an individual who allegedly removed a knife from the crime scene. Additional video footage of the incident exists but has not been made public by authorities. The man who initiated the confrontation is also hospitalized with gunshot wounds, and police maintain that the officers acted appropriately in response to his threatening behavior.