Hempstead Village man with knife shot, wounded by cop, police say

Hempstead police shot and wounded a 31-year-old man in the village after he threatened officers while armed with a knife, authorities said. 

About 4:50 a.m. Saturday, Hempstead officers responded to call about a violent man at an apartment on Washington Street, according to a news release from the Nassau County Police Department. 

When the officers arrived at the scene, the man, identified as Patrick Alexis, 31, allegedly said he had a knife and a gun and was going to shoot the officers. Police said Alexis then opened the door while holding a knife and "menaced the Officers," the release said.

One of the officers used his Taser on Alexis, but according to Nassau police, the device was “ineffective.” 

Alexis, still armed with the knife, "then moved closer to the Officers in a threatening manner causing one of the Officers to discharge his firearm one time, striking the male subject in the upper torso," police said.

Alexis was transported to a hospital and listed in stable condition. An update Sunday on his condition was not immediately available.

He faces four counts of menacing a police officer, one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief and one count of fourth-degree possession of a dangerous weapon.

No additional injuries were reported. His arraignment will wait until “medically practical,” police said.

Hempstead Village police cited the ongoing investigation in declining to share further information.

Nassau County police, who sent the news release, said additional information was not available on Sunday.

With Michael O'Keeffe

By Brianne Ledda

brianne.ledda@newsday.com@brianne_ledda

Brianne Ledda covers the Town of Islip for Newsday. She previously covered Southold and Greenport for The Suffolk Times and is a graduate of Stony Brook University.