Detective Injured in Brooklyn Shooting During Confrontation with Armed Teen

A veteran NYPD detective was shot in Brooklyn while confronting an armed 18-year-old. The incident occurred early Sunday morning, resulting in minor injuries for the detective, who is set to retire soon. The suspect fled but was arrested after a foot chase. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the suspect's prior history and the weapon used. This incident raises concerns about police safety and community interactions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 5, 2026, 21:17 IST

Incident Overview

In a troubling incident early Sunday morning in Brooklyn, a seasoned detective from the New York Police Department was shot while confronting an armed 18-year-old. Detective Robert L Karroll, who is set to retire in just ten days, sustained a gunshot wound to his upper back despite wearing a ballistic vest. Fortunately, his injuries are minor, and he is anticipated to recover fully. The shooting occurred around 4:45 AM local time near Nostrand Avenue and St Johns Place.

According to police reports, the suspect approached an unmarked police vehicle brandishing a semi-automatic handgun. Investigators are looking into whether the teenager was aware that uniformed officers were inside the vehicle. As two officers exited the car to disarm him, the suspect opened fire, hitting the vehicle multiple times, which resulted in bullet holes in both the front and rear windshields as well as the passenger side.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch remarked at a press conference that the ballistic vest played a crucial role in saving the detective's life. Another officer involved in the incident suffered minor bruises to her face and shoulder. The two detectives had been reassigned to Brooklyn shortly after midnight as part of a strategy to reduce violence ahead of the July 4 celebrations. Earlier that day, they had been providing security for the Sail4th 250 event in Lower Manhattan.

During the exchange of gunfire, three officers fired their weapons, but the suspect was not hit. Commissioner Tisch noted that there was no body camera footage available due to the sudden nature of the encounter. After fleeing the scene, the suspect was apprehended several blocks away near Rogers Avenue and Union Street following a foot chase. Authorities reported that he resisted arrest and had to be subdued with a Taser before being taken into custody.

Police recovered a SAR 9mm handgun believed to have been used in the shooting and shared an image of the weapon on social media. Investigators are currently gathering security footage from nearby businesses to piece together the events leading up to the confrontation, including the suspect's actions before approaching the police vehicle. Notably, the suspect has no known criminal record, and formal charges have yet to be filed.