[Update Below] An altercation in Queens this morning has left an MTA officer in critical condition with serious injuries to his face and an emotionally disturbed man dead.
Details are still coming in, but according to the FDNY the incident broke out just after 9:30 a.m. near Sutphin Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue. The NYPD would only say that the officer was taken to Jamaica Hospital with injuries to his face, but reports say he was stabbed in the eye at least once and shot. He is believed to be in critical condition and is likely to lose the eye.
Meanwhile, the perp who attacked the officer was shot on the scene and declared DOA by authorities. It is not immediately clear what caused the altercation.
Update: New reports say the incident began when an MTA police officer, an 11-year veteran, was chatting with a cab driver near the platform area of the Jamaica LIRR station on Sutphin Boulevard. Without warning the suspect, identified as Edgar Owens, attacked him with a knife, stabbing him in the face just beneath one of his eyes.
Officer John Barnett was able to draw his weapon quickly and fired four rounds, killing the suspect. Doctors now reportedly say the officer is alert and, contrary to earlier reports, is expected to make a full recovery.
Update 2: And here's Governor Andrew Cuomo's statement on the incident: "This morning, MTA police officer John Barnett was viciously attacked by a knife-wielding assailant at the Sutphin Boulevard LIRR station in Jamaica, Queens. I spoke with Officer Barnett prior to him going in to surgery and thanked him on behalf of all New Yorkers for his courage. Today we are reminded once again of the bravery and sacrifice of our men and women in law enforcement, and the many dangers that accompany the important job of keeping our state's residents safe. We applaud Officer Barnett's bravery and pray for a full recovery."
