An off-duty New York Police Department officer fatally shot a 30-year-old man who pulled a gun during an ambush involving two suspects on mopeds in upper Manhattan.

According to a New York Post report, the incident unfolded just before 9:45 p.m. on Sunday outside a residential building at West 173rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Washington Heights. Authorities described how the suspects approached the officer, leading to a confrontation that ended in gunfire.

The 30-year-old suspect dismounted his moped and inquired if the officer recognized a specific person's name before suddenly drawing a firearm. This prompted the officer to respond by pulling his own weapon and discharging several shots at the armed individual.

Ambush Details Emerge from Police Briefing

Deputy Chief Eric Pagan, who serves as the executive officer for the Patrol Borough of Manhattan North, provided details during an early morning press conference on Monday. He explained that the off-duty officer was standing alone when the two men on separate mopeds initiated the attack without prior warning.

Upon spotting the suspect's gun, the officer acted swiftly to defend himself by firing multiple rounds, striking the 30-year-old. The second suspect immediately accelerated away on his moped, evading capture and remaining at large as of the latest updates.

Police officers at the scene administered emergency aid to the wounded suspect before rushing him to Harlem Hospital. There, medical staff pronounced him dead, marking the fatal outcome of the brief but intense encounter.

Recovered Evidence and Officer’s Condition

Investigators retrieved a loaded 9mm handgun from the location of the shooting, which belonged to the deceased suspect. This discovery supported the officer's account of facing an imminent threat during the unexpected assault.

The off-duty NYPD member sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening and received treatment at a nearby hospital. Officials have not yet disclosed the officer's identity, citing standard protocols for such incidents.

Deputy Chief Pagan praised the department's personnel in his statement, highlighting their constant readiness. “Every day, the men and women of the NYPD answered the call to protect and serve, whether they are on or off duty. Tonight, we saw that firsthand,” he said.

Similar Incidents Highlight Moped Crime Pattern

Just last month, a comparable event occurred blocks away in the same Washington Heights neighborhood, involving an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. That officer was robbed and shot in the face by two men on a moped in Fort Washington Park but managed to return fire and injure one attacker.

The suspects in that prior case were identified as Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez and Christhian Aybar-Berroa, who approached on a single moped. Their ambush mirrored the tactics used in the recent shooting, raising concerns about organized moped-related crimes in the area.

Both events underscore a potential trend of armed robberies facilitated by scooters in upper Manhattan. Authorities noted that the off-duty CBP officer's quick response allowed him to survive, similar to the NYPD officer's actions in this case.

Ongoing Probe into Fatal Encounter

The NYPD officer, whose name remains unreleased, was targeted by two male suspects on mopeds while off duty in Washington Heights on Sunday evening, resulting in him shooting and killing the 30-year-old who brandished a gun after asking about an individual's name. The attack happened at West 173rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, apparently without clear motive, as the accomplice fled immediately after the gunfire.

Investigators are actively searching for the second suspect who escaped on his moped, with the incident still under review to determine any connections or reasons behind the ambush. A loaded 9mm firearm recovered at the scene provides key evidence, while the officer receives treatment for minor injuries.

This shooting echoes a July incident nearby, where an off-duty federal officer was wounded but fought back, suggesting possible patterns in local crime that authorities may address through heightened patrols or further inquiries in the coming weeks.