Two Police Officers Shot During Brooklyn Traffic Stop

Early this morning, two police officers pulled over a BMW X5 SUV with stolen plates at the Lefferts and Rogers Avenue in Crown Heights. The driver or a passenger shot at the cops, and WNBC reports that 23-year-old police officer Russel Timoshenko (was hit twice in the face while 26-year-old police officer Herman Yan was shot in his bullet-proof vest and arm. Yan fired back and radioed for help.

Timoshenko and Yan were taken to Kings County Hospital, where Timoshenko is "clinging to life." WABC reported, "Weeping family members could be seen arriving at the hospital this morning." Mayor Bloomberg said, "Two partners who set out this midnight to keep us safe were shot were helping deliver the ever low crime rate that makes life as we know it in New York possible. One will recover and one is clinging to life." Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said, "Officer Timoshenko sustained bullet wounds as the mayor said to the face and the neck. He is in extremely critical condition. Officer Yan was hit in the chest and the left forearm. We have every reason to believe that his life was saved by his bulletproof vest." Kelly added, "There was no exchange of words. They had not gotten to driver's side or passenger side window when shots rang out."

Police are looking for the two suspects. Police found the car at Kingston and Lefferts Avenue; there are police helicopters monitoring the area.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on July 9, 2007 8:39 AM

Comments [rss]

guest

I dunno, I went to the Post site before and it stated the officer died earlier this afternoon.

why would they do something like that?

guest

Hey, I see you and the NY Post have killed NYPD Officer Timoshenko.

Great reporting, kids!!!!

Yes, the poor guy MAY very well be dead in the next 24 hours.

But still ... this is reporting 101, something I guess they don't teach you where you're from.

When it comes to someone's life, and you're reporting on it, don't prematurely bury the guy.

And offer a correction. Even the dirty diggers at the Post did so.

guest

It was no nigger for sure.

guest

Man, it's not enough for these people to steal - they need to kill also? Where's Sharpton??

ladyb

It wasn't Lefferts Gardens in the 60's... It has been since 1979, and SoHo wasn't SoHo in the 20's. Come on.

jammer

this is fucking scary.

this is near my house. ugh...summertime in the "ghetto" has arrived.

guest

This is an absolute disgrace. These two young men are fighting for their lives after an ambush and the Mayor uses it to make points and the black community leaders are dormant because they can't make any political hay.

It was not Lefferts Gardens back when I lived there in the 60's when Medgar Evers was still Brooklyn Prep......

JMH

The type of car that was involved has absolutely nothing to do with it.

guest

#12 and #14,

He already did. . . look at #1

Reality Czech

A real man's car? Yeah a man who has to make up for his lack of balls. A man who is so self-obcessed that he doesn't care about the world, only himself.

SUV's are for A-holes. If you drive one you are one.

end of story.