A suspect was taken into custody in Nassau County last night in connection with the shooting of an off-duty police officer during an apparent robbery in East New York on Tuesday.
The suspect, who is identified by the Post as one Tori Saunders, 22, was arrested by Regional Fugitive Task Force officers in Rockville Centre, a village on Long Island, just before 6 p.m. According to ABC, Saunders' fingerprints were matched to those on the off-duty officer's white Range Rover. Saunders was reportedly arrested after a brief foot chase and is currently in custody. No charges have been filed.
The Post reports that Saunders has 24 prior arrests, including robbery and weapons possession.
Tuesday night's shooting took place around 10:20 p.m. outside of 737 Bradford Street in East New York. The injured officer, 33-year-old Tramaine Oxley, was reportedly sitting in his Range Rover with two cousins and a friend, having recently left a basketball tournament at a nearby park, when a dark BMW pulled up behind them.
While the News initially suggested that the two suspects in the BMW were attempting a carjack, Police Commissioner Bratton told the tabloid, "It appears now it was a straight up robbery attempt."
NYPD Chief of Department James O'Neill told the News that shots were fired on both sides. According to O'Neill, after the suspects robbed Oxley of cash and jewelry at gunpoint, the Range Rover "left the scene to get away." Then, "They [Oxley and his companions] made a U-turn and were on the way back to the people who robbed them when at some point [the suspects] fired at the Range Rover. At another point [Oxley] fired four rounds."
A bullet hit Oxley's left arm, and grazed his chest. He was transported to Brookdale Hospital in stable condition.
