Bay Shore, Long Island became the epicenter of a dramatic police encounter this week when officers responding to a 911 call shot a man who threatened them with a sword. The man, identified as 33-year-old Joseph Restaino, had claimed to be holding a hostage inside his home at 1625 Ohio Ave., as reported by ABC7NY. It was revealed, however, that there were no hostages and the incident is being investigated as an attempted suicide by cop.
Upon their arrival, Suffolk County police officers were confronted by Restaino brandishing a long sword and ignoring demands to drop the weapon. A taser was used in an attempt to subdue him to no avail; Restaino continued to threaten officers, which ultimately led to at least one officer shooting him, as per information by Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina in an interview obtained by the New York Post.
The 33-year-old was transported to South Shore University Hospital with injuries. While his condition was not disclosed, officials indicated Restaino has a history of mental illness. As of now, no charges have been filed against him, but this may change as he recovers. Neither of the police officers involved in the incident was injured.
This recent clash marks the second police shooting in the same North Bay Shore neighborhood in less than two weeks, stirring up concern among its residents. The prior event involved Nieves Reyes, who is currently facing charges of second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder of a police officer. The New York Post further detailed that residents could hear both incidents from just blocks away, adding to the growing anxiety over public safety in the area.
Authorities are immediately encouraging anyone with information about the latest incident to contact Homicide Squad detectives at 631-852-6392.
