Detectives at the 115th Precinct Squad this week are expanding their search for a gunman who opened fire on two police officers on December 2, sending one round into a nearby dental clinic packed with youngsters.
The explosion of gunfire erupted at about 3:55 p.m., at 37th Road and 78th Street in Jackson Heights after the cops on foot patrol were alerted by a report of an oddly dressed, bearded man wearing a trench coat, hat and sunglasses, who was acting suspiciously, police said.
“The cops spotted the man and kept asking him to take his hands out of his pockets,” police sources said. “When the cops asked him for identification, he pulled a black revolver out of his pocket and he just opened fire, point-blank at the cops.
“At that point all hell broke loose. It was the cop’s worst nightmare. They dived for cover and the guy bolted.” Police said the gunman fled on foot, heading south on 77th Street.
The two cops chased the gunman and found his fake beard, sunglasses and hat a few blocks away from the scene of the gunfire, but he managed to get away.
Police said workers at the dental clinic were shaken by the gunfire but no one was injured. The two rookie cops also avoided injury, police said.
A surveillance video captured an image of the gunman as he fled along Roosevelt Avenue. Police last week released a photo taken from the surveillance video in the hope that someone will recognize the man.
Investigators have not determined why the suspect dressed and acted oddly, or why he opened fire on the cops.
The suspect is described as a male in his 30’s, approximately 5-feet, 9-inches tall. Anyone with information is urged to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS or click on www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. The Hotline is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
In addition, COPSHOT has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. Anyone with information is urged to call 1-800-COPSHOT. All calls will be kept confidential.