Queens cops and an armed robber traded gunfire in a shootout on a busy shopping strip Tuesday night, leaving an officer and an innocent bystander wounded and the suspect dead, police said.
Authorities said the shooting happened at about 6:30 p.m. on November 19, when officers from the 103rd Precinct approached the robbery suspect — identified as Gary Worthy, 57, of 127th Avenue in Queens — who had been tied to two armed stickups in the neighborhood moments earlier.
A Descent into Chaos
Moments later, the responding cops and the robbery suspect exchanged shots near the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 164th Street. During the exchange, one of the cops — Police Officer Rich Wong, a 7-year NYPD veteran — was shot in the thigh, while Worthy was fatally struck in the face.
"There were rapid pop-pops," said one eyewitness at the shooting scene. "Everyone was running and looking scared."
The Aftermath
Wong’s partner rushed the wounded officer to Jamaica Hospital. Police later learned that a 26-year-old woman, described as a bystander, was shot and wounded in connection with the shootout, and is also undergoing treatment at Jamaica Hospital. It is not yet clear whether the woman had been shot by the officer or the suspect.
Both the wounded officer and bystander will make full recoveries, Mayor Eric Adams said during a Tuesday night press conference at the medical center.
"They may leave the hospital, but the trauma never leaves you when you are the victim," Mayor Adams said. "It is just another stark reminder of the danger the NYPD faces every day."
A History of Violence
But Mayor Adams and police brass revealed at the press conference that Worthy, the slain robbery suspect, had 17 prior arrests on charges including murder, robbery, burglary, and narcotics possession; was on lifetime parole for a firearms possession conviction; and had been arrested just six days ago for drug possession and resisting arrest.
Despite all this, Mayor Adams noted, he was still released without bail following his November 15 arraignment.
"The criminal justice system is failing New Yorkers and the good people of this city," Hizzoner concluded.
How the Incident Unfolded
Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny outlined the preliminary details of the investigation into Tuesday night’s shootout.
The trouble began at about 5:35 p.m. on November 19, when Worthy allegedly stormed into the Village Market Grocery store at 164-01 Hillside Ave. in Jamaica, announced a robbery, and displayed a firearm.
"During the incident, Kenny said that Worthy allegedly fired a shot, though no one was struck. It appeared to be a warning shot, and fit a pattern involving other recent store robberies in the community in recent weeks,"
Kenny said that the 107th Precinct responded to the stickup and learned that Worthy had allegedly fled the shop and ran southbound into the neighboring 103rd Precinct’s confines. Officers obtained his description and broadcast it on radio.
The 103rd Precinct officers were canvassing Jamaica searching for the suspect when a witness informed them that a smoke shop at 92-18 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at about 6:24 p.m. on November 19. The description of the robber in that incident matched that of the perpetrator in the Hillside Avenue stickup.
The Confrontation
Six minutes later, at about 6:30 p.m., Officer Wong and his partner spotted Worthy, who fit the robbery suspect description, at the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 161st Street. The two officers repeatedly ordered him to stop, but Kenny noted that Worthy instead ran eastbound along Jamaica Avenue while producing a firearm.
Moments later, at the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 164th Street, the shots rang out that left Officer Wong and the female bystander wounded, and Worthy dead.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the bravery and sacrifice of law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe.
It also raises serious questions about the effectiveness of our criminal justice system, particularly when it comes to repeat offenders who pose a threat to public safety.
FAQs
Q: How did the incident begin?
A: The trouble began when Worthy allegedly stormed into the Village Market Grocery store at 164-01 Hillside Ave. in Jamaica, announced a robbery, and displayed a firearm.
Q: How did the police respond?
A: The 107th Precinct responded to the stickup and learned that Worthy had allegedly fled the shop and ran southbound into the neighboring 103rd Precinct’s confines. Officers obtained his description and broadcast it on radio. The 103rd Precinct officers were canvassing Jamaica searching for the suspect when a witness informed them that a smoke shop at 92-18 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. at about 6:24 p.m. on November 19. The description of the robber in that incident matched that of the perpetrator in the Hillside Avenue stickup.
Q: Who was involved in the shooting?
A: Officer Rich Wong, a 7-year NYPD veteran, and an innocent bystander were both shot during the confrontation with Worthy. Worthy was fatally struck in the face.
Q: How are the victims doing?
A: Both Officer Wong and the bystander are undergoing treatment at Jamaica Hospital, but are expected to make full recoveries.
Q: What is the investigation underway?
A: The NYPD Force Investigation Division is leading the investigation into the shootout, which is still ongoing.
