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Officials identify NYPD sergeant killed in Bronx shootout, say 2nd sergeant shot is stable

BRONX, N.Y.–Two New York Police sergeants were shot Friday afternoon, and one has died. Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo, a 19-year veteran of the NYPD and father of tw...
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BRONX, N.Y.–Two New York Police sergeants were shot Friday afternoon, and one has died.

Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo, a 19-year veteran of the NYPD and father of two young children, was shot and killed in the line of duty around 2:52 p.m. Sgt. Emmanuel Kwo, a nine-year veteran of the department, was injured.

Around 2:45 p.m. a 50-year-old woman called police to report that a man armed with a gun had just barged into the apartment she was in, located at 1460 Beach Ave, less than one mile from the Bronx Zoo. Also in the apartment were a 29-year-old woman, 3-year-old child and 13-year-old child.

Officials identify NYPD sergeant killed in Bronx shootout, say 2nd sergeant shot is stable

As officers were responding, it was reported that the suspect had left the scene in a red Jeep. A short time later, at 2:52 p.m., two patrol sergeants spotted the car on Bronx River Avenue, about 1/4 mile from the apartment. They pulled it over and approached, at which point the suspect began firing with a .45 caliber semi-automatic gun. The sergeants returned fire.

Rosales was killed in the shootout, and the two sergeants were shot and injured. The sergeants were rushed to Jacobi Medical Center, according to PIX 11, who reports one was shot in the head, while the other was shot in the leg more than 10 times.

The NYPD confirmed that Sgt. Tuozzolo died at the hospital, while Sgt. Kwo is in stable condition.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a statement:

Every day, the brave men and women of law enforcement selflessly serve our communities to keep the rest of us safe. Today, a sergeant in the New York City Police Department has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and another officer is undergoing treatment.

My deepest sympathies are with the families of the officers involved in today’s tragedy in the Bronx, and with Commissioner O’Neill and the NYPD as they cope with the loss of one of their own.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio quickly responded to the hospital, for an update, and he and NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill spoke to the press around 6:15 p.m.

“Our thoughts are with NYC’s Finest as we hope for the best,” the mayor’s office said in a tweet shortly after the shooting.

Stay with FOX 61 as the story develops.

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