BROOKLYN, NY – A violent encounter in Brooklyn resulted in two New York Police Department (NYPD) officers being shot by a suspect with a notorious criminal history. The suspect, 39-year-old Melvin Butler, allegedly wrested a gun from one of the officers and fired at them while they were attempting to arrest him for assaulting his mother.
The incident unfolded in a Brownsville apartment complex around 3:30 p.m., where one officer sustained a leg injury and the other was shot in the hand. The confrontation ended when Butler was shot by an officer. The NYPD had been called to the scene by Butler’s mother, who had reported an assault in her Bergen Street apartment.
Despite being told he was under arrest, Butler resisted and engaged in a physical altercation with the officers. During the struggle, he managed to seize an officer’s gun and open fire. The officers retaliated, hitting Butler multiple times.
Both officers were rushed to New York City Health + Hospitals Kings County and are expected to recover fully from their injuries. Butler is currently in critical but stable condition.
Police Commissioner Edward Caban underscored the dangers faced by officers in their routine duties, stating, “Our officers are lucky to be alive at this hour.” He also pointed out Butler’s extensive criminal record, which includes a 15-year sentence for attempted murder in 2004 and several arrests for resisting arrest and domestic violence.
Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD captain, lauded the officers’ response, stating, “We had a very violent and dangerous person that has a long record of violence attempted to harm our police officers, but they responded accordingly.”
Patrick Hendry, the president of the Police Benevolent Association, expressed relief at the officers’ survival, but questioned the rising crime rates in the city.