Two teenagers, both aged 15, were wounded in a shootout last night in East Harlem, with NYPD officers involved, according to authorities. Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera reported at a press conference that uniformed officers responded to gunfire heard near the NYCHA’s Wagner Houses, as stated by Gothamist. The involved teenagers—one of whom was identified as Damien Calhoun—are now in police custody following a chase and a concerning discovery: one was found to be carrying a loaded gun with an unusually high-capacity magazine.
As the investigation continues, a key point of contention has emerged: the source of the gunshots that left the two 15-year-olds injured. NYPD officials acknowledge discharge of service weapons during the altercation, but it remains to be determined if a NYPD gunfire was the cause of the teenagers’ injuries, the FOX 5 New York report highlighted. While the investigation is ongoing, both of the injured teenagers are reportedly in stable condition at Harlem Hospital.
Local witnesses described hearing gunfire followed by chaos that caused bystanders to take cover. Surveillance footage collected from the scene is currently under review, as stated by Chief Rivera, who was quoted saying, "Once again, we are here discussing the sad realities of youth violence," in a statement obtained by FOX 5 New York.
The NYPD's Force Investigation Division is reviewing body camera footage and other evidence to determine what occurred before, during, and after the shootout. Damien Calhoun’s history, which includes a guilty plea for attempted murder, is being reviewed alongside the backgrounds of the other teenagers involved. According to a FOX 5 New York coverage, one of the boy has an open violent felony case in Manhattan.
