Harrison: Two Suffolk officers stabbed, suspect shot dead in Medford confrontation

A 56-year-old man was shot dead by Suffolk police in Medford early Wednesday evening after he stabbed two officers who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison.

The officers had responded to a 911 call about the man, who was reportedly menacing his roommate with a fire extinguisher at a Medford condominium complex. When the officers arrived, the man pulled out a Rambo-style knife and stabbed one officer and then the other, Harrison said. One and possibly both officers fired their guns, according to Suffolk Police Chief of Detectives John Rowan.

One of the officers was undergoing surgery at Stony Brook University Hospital Wednesday evening and was in stable condition, Harrison said. A second officer was admitted there too, a police news release said. A third officer was also transported for treatment of minor injuries and released, according to the release. 

The president of their labor union, Noel DiGerolamo of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, said in a statement Wednesday: “We ask that all Long Islanders keep our Officers in their thoughts and prayers, and God willing, they will make a full recovery from the horrific incident that took place earlier today.” 

The 911 call had been placed by a case worker who went to check on two residents of an apartment in the Blue Ridge condominium complex on Birchwood Road, one of whom was acting violently toward the other, according to Rowan. There was a confrontation, at about 5 p.m., between the violent man and the officers.

“Upon arrival, officers made contact with the individual who was acting violent. That individual produced a knife and subsequently stabbed two of our officers. Shots were fired by one or more of our officers resulting in the death of that individual,” Rowan said.

The police press office could not say Wednesday evening whether the encounter took place at a halfway house or group residence within the complex.

The office did not say whether the officers had been wearing body cameras, and if so whether the incident was recorded. A specific chronology of the confrontation, why the case worker was paying the men a visit and names and details about the officers or the man who was killed were also not disclosed Wednesday night.

Stony Brook University Hospital spokeswoman Kali Chan said that details about the officers’ conditions would be released through the police department. At the hospital Wednesday night, several police vehicles idled on the premises where the officers were being treated.

Maria Daume, 24, lives with her 18-month-old daughter at the Blue Ridge Condominiums and lamented how neighbors felt the complex had become unsafe in recent months.

Residents’ tires have been slashed and car windows broken — including her own. She wasn’t surprised at the incident Wednesday night. “It was bound to happen,” she said.

Gloria Santos, who lives with her son and granddaughter in the Blue Ridge complex, said she was in shock.

She was at home Wednesday evening and saw flashing lights and went outside to see what was happening.

“It’s horrible because my granddaughter lives here with me and my son lives with me. I used to work nights and I’d come home late at times. I would always feel comfortable. Now I’m in shock.”