Police: Officer fatally shot bat-wielding suspect in Great Neck

<p>Police say an officer shot and killed a bat-wielding suspect Monday morning following an apparent confrontation at an intersection.</p>

News 12 Staff

Mar 12, 2018, 4:42 PM

Updated 2,243 days ago

Share:

Nassau police say an officer shot and killed a bat-wielding suspect in Great Neck Monday morning following an apparent road rage confrontation in Great Neck.
It happened on Maple Street around 10:30 a.m. Police say the male suspect was stopped in a Volkswagen at a stop sign with two vehicles behind him. Police say the suspect became enraged when one of the cars honked their horn.
According to police, the suspect exited his car and hit the driver's side window of the vehicle behind him. They say that stunned the driver as he got out of his car to confront the suspect.
When the victim exited his car, police say the suspect struck him in the head with a bat. Then, police say the suspect went after the driver of the other vehicle, who was in a gray van. He allegedly smashed the driver’s side window on that vehicle as well.
According to police, when an officer approached the suspect, he came at him with the bat. A good Samaritan who tried to help was also hit in the head with the bat, police say.
Police officials say the officer attempted to use his Taser, but it didn't stop the suspect, who also allegedly ignored repeated commands by the officer to put the bat down.
"He turned on our officer," says Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. "The last instruction was to put the bat down. The officer had no option but to fire and stop that subject at that location."
Police say two shots were fired, and one struck the suspect in the chest. He died at the hospital.
There are reports that the suspect could be connected to a deadly hit-and-run that happened earlier Monday in Brooklyn. But the NYPD is not confirming those reports at this time.
The two people who were struck in the head with the bat were both hospitalized with injuries.
The names of the suspect and the officer involved have not been released at this time.
Police say the officer had just graduated from the academy last month. They say he used the correct tactical training under the circumstances.


More from News 12
1:55
Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

2:13
Temperatures cool off heading into the weekend for NYC

Temperatures cool off heading into the weekend for NYC

1:59
Community members affected by Bushwick fire regroup, attempt to move forward

Community members affected by Bushwick fire regroup, attempt to move forward

1:41
New survey highlights challenges for migrants

New survey highlights challenges for migrants

1:55
PS 331 in Borough Park to be renamed in honor of slain Detective WenJian Liu

PS 331 in Borough Park to be renamed in honor of slain Detective WenJian Liu

0:43
2 City Council committees hold joint hearing on sexual harassment policies

2 City Council committees hold joint hearing on sexual harassment policies

4:14
'We lost something good'. FDNY says large fire destroys Bushwick supermarket, leaves 55 people homeless

'We lost something good'. FDNY says large fire destroys Bushwick supermarket, leaves 55 people homeless

Diocese of Brooklyn: 3 Catholic academies to close at the end of the school year

Diocese of Brooklyn: 3 Catholic academies to close at the end of the school year

2:03
New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

0:32
NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

0:23
Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:27
Kingsboro Psychiatric Center workers demand their bosses get fired due to bullying, nepotism

Kingsboro Psychiatric Center workers demand their bosses get fired due to bullying, nepotism

1:53
Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

1:51
RFK announces he has enough signatures to appear on NY ballot

RFK announces he has enough signatures to appear on NY ballot

1:46
Tenants weigh in on possible rent hikes for rent-stabilized homes

Tenants weigh in on possible rent hikes for rent-stabilized homes

1:38
Parks Department held community input meetings over new construction of skate parks

Parks Department held community input meetings over new construction of skate parks

1:27
Power restored in Manhattan Beach following 18-wheeler truck crash

Power restored in Manhattan Beach following 18-wheeler truck crash