Two NYPD Officers shot after Domestic Violence suspect managed to grab officer's gun

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at approximately 1515 hours, NYPD Officer Timothy Brennan, Officer Acevedo, Officer Lafaille, and Sergeant Groth responded to a residential building in the vicinity of Bergen Street and Saratoga Avenue, Brooklyn, for a 911 call of a person who was assaulted. Upon arrival, the officers were met in front of the location by the 911 caller who identified 39-year-old Melvin Butler as the subject and provided them with additional information. The 911 caller then escorted the officers to an apartment where Butler was located. The officers knocked on the apartment door and Butler allowed entry.

They conversed with him for several minutes and informed him that he would be placed under arrest for the assault. As the officers attempted to place Butler into custody, he resisted arrest and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Butler took possession of Officer Brennan's firearm. As Officer Brennan and Officer Acevedo struggled to regain possession of the firearm, Butler began to discharge shots from it. Officer Brennan and Officer Acevedo were both struck by gunfire. During the struggle, while Butler possessed Officer Brennan's firearm, Officer Acevedo discharged three shots, Officer Lafaille discharged three shots, and Sergeant Groth discharged one shot from their service firearms at Butler.

Ballistics evidence recovered from the scene revealed that Butler discharged two shots from Officer Brennan's firearm. Butler was struck by the gunfire and relinquished possession of the firearm. He was taken into custody without further incident. Butler was transported via ambulance to Kings County Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries. Officer Brennan and Officer Acevedo were also transported via ambulance to Kings County Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries. For his actions, Butler was arrested and charged with Attempted Murder in the First Degree (police officer), Assault in the Second Degree, Robbery in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and related charges.