Off-duty NYPD cop from Deer Park shot in Brooklyn in critical condition, police say

An off-duty NYPD cop from Deer Park who was shot Saturday evening while accompanying a relative meeting a seller in Brooklyn to buy an automobile via Facebook Marketplace remained in critical condition Monday morning, according to police.

The officer, who is 26 and has been on the force for five years, was assigned to patrol, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said during a news briefing late Saturday night at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center. She declined to name the injured officer, although Mayor Eric Adams said he has a wife and children.

"Please keep this young officer in your prayers. He is currently fighting for his life," Sewell said. 

The would-be purchase became a robbery "almost immediately" when the seller showed a gun, and he and the cop exchanged gunfire, NYPD Assistant Chief Michael Baldassano said at the news conference.

The shooter fled and was still at large late Saturday night, Baldassano said. He didn’t know whether the seller had been wounded. The officer's relative was unhurt.

“We have no reason to believe” the seller knew the off-duty cop is a police officer, Baldassano said.

Adams said: “An officer conducting a simple errand, a dangerous person pulled out a firearm.” He added: “We will catch the person responsible for this act.”

The shooting happened about 7 p.m. on Ruby Street in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, Baldassano said.

The NYPD tweeted Monday morning that there is a reward for $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Late Saturday, dozens of cops crowded the lobby of the hospital where the officer was being treated. His children were walked out holding cops’ hands at about 12:15 a.m.

The cops in the lobby became silent as the family walked through.

As of Monday morning, the officer remained in critical condition and no arrests had been made, police said.

With Brianne Ledda, Anthony M. DeStefano and John Valenti

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.